Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of full medical cards which have been issued since the eligibility for such cards has been increased; the number of full medical cards to be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35460/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Information provided by the HSE to my Department, on a monthly basis, indicates that on 1 November 2005, some 1,150,551 people were covered by medical cards. This is an increase of 1,133 on the number at 1 October 2005 and an increase of 5,468 on the 1 January 2005 figure. The HSE has also indicated that, in the period from January to November 2005, over 187,000 new medical cards have been issued, while almost 182,000 have been withdrawn for various reasons, including deaths, income changes and data updates.

Many people have benefited by getting a medical card for the first time in 2005. The HSE has also indicated that approximately 48,000 of these cards are in respect of clients who have not previously held a medical card.

Funding of €60 million was provided to the Health Service Executive in 2005 to meet the cost of providing an additional 30,000 people with medical cards and a further 200,000 people with GP visit cards. These initiatives were taken to assist people, particularly those on low incomes, in overcoming barriers to accessing GP services, and to help in removing poverty traps and disincentives to people taking up work or progressing to better paid work.

Taking into account both of these initiatives, an additional 230,000 people will be able to access their general practitioner free-of-charge. People who hold GP visit cards are entitled to avail of the drugs payment scheme, which provides that no person or family unit pays in excess of €85 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed drugs and medicines.

In January 2005, I increased the income guidelines used in the assessment of medical card applications by 7.5%. In June, it was apparent that the effect of rising income in our successful economy meant that the target of 30,000 additional medical cards was not going to be achieved. At this time, I simplified the means test for both medical cards and GP visit cards. It is now based on an applicant's and spouse's income after tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. This is much fairer to applicants. On 13 October 2005, I announced that the income guidelines for both medical cards and GP visit cards would be increased by an additional 20%. This means the income guidelines are now 29% higher than this time last year.

My Department and the HSE will continue to monitor the number of medical cards and GP visit cards issued to identify any further changes which may be required.