Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 349: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost per annum of providing medical cards to all children under 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24967/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On the basis of the figures contained in the 2004 annual report of the former payments of the General Medical Services Payments Board, now the Health Service Executive, Shared Services and Primary Care Reimbursement Service, it is estimated that the additional cost involved if medical cards were to be provided to all those aged under 16 years would be approximately €86 million. This estimate is calculated by reference to the average capitation fees paid to general practitioners and the average costs of drugs and medicines and fees paid to pharmacists at the end of 2004. There would, of course, be other costs such as allowances payable to GPs, superannuation in respect of GPs and benefits to medical card holders under the dental and ophthalmic schemes. The estimate does not take account of fee increases which would apply under the terms of the Labour Relations Commission's recommendations of 20 June 2005 and any additional costs which might result from future industrial relations negotiations.