Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards in place at 1 October 2005 on a county basis; when the 30,000 full medical cards will be allocated; when application forms and relevant details of application criteria will be available for the 200,000 doctor only medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27814/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The latest information for the number of persons covered by a medical card on a county basis is September 2005. The information is set out in the following table:

The income assessment guidelines used by the Health Service Executive, HSE, in considering applications for medical cards were increased by 7.5% with effect from 1 January 2005. Significant changes were also announced in the area of allowances to applicants in respect of dependants and reasonable expenses incurred in relation to mortgage, childcare and commuting to work. It was anticipated that these increases would result in a net additional 30,000 medical cards. To date, the net number of additional cards issued has not significantly exceeded the figure for the year end of 2004. My Department and the HSE are now reviewing the operation of the income assessment guidelines with a view to identifying what further changes may be required in order to enable the desired number of additional medical cards to be issued.

Now that agreement has been reached between the parties on all aspects of the Labour Relations Commission's recommendations of June 2005 the HSE is proceeding with the introduction of GP visit cards which will enable 200,000 people to have free access to general practitioner services under the general medical services scheme. Applications for assessments for eligibility to GP visit cards are being processed at present by the HSE.