Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to introduce the general practitioner only medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21933/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. It is understood that the HSE has now made available application forms for the GP visit card. The HSE has placed advertisements providing details of the application process in the national press and intends to place further advertisements in the regional press over the coming week. Those who are eligible will be able to visit their general practitioner without charge, and receive general practitioner services under the general medical services scheme. Eligibility to GP visit cards will be determined, by the Health Service Executive, following an assessment of the income of the applicant, and spouse, if any, after tax and PRSI have been deducted. Provision for the allowance of reasonable expenses in respect of child care, rent-mortgage and commuting to work expenses has also been included.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued in counties Roscommon and Leitrim; the corresponding figures for 2002 and 1997; her plans to extend the coverage of medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21934/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The number of persons covered by a medical card in counties Roscommon and Leitrim for the dates requested are set out in the following table.

In 2005, additional funding of €60 million has been provided to allow the Health Service Executive, HSE, provide an additional 30,000 people with full medical cards and to extend free access to general practitioner services under the general medical services, GMS, scheme to up to a further 200,000 persons. The reason for this initiative was to ensure that as many people as possible, particularly those on low income and families with children, would be free from the worry of costs associated with accessing general practitioner services for themselves and their children.

It is understood that the HSE has now made available application forms for the GP visit card. The HSE has placed advertisements providing details of the application process in the national press and intend to place further advertisements in the regional press over the coming week. Those who are eligible will be able to visit their general practitioner without charge, and receive general practitioner services under the general medical services scheme. Eligibility to GP visit cards will be determined, by the Health Service Executive, following an assessment of the income of the applicant, and spouse, if any, after tax and PRSI have been deducted. Provision for the allowance of reasonable expenses in respect of child care, mortgage and commuting to work expenses has also been included.