Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which the number of medical cards issued to date in 2005 compares with the commitment given by the Government prior to the 2002 general election; the costing provided at the time and the eventual cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35686/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In November 2005, 1,150,511 people hold medical cards. Figures provided by the then health boards indicated that there were 1,207,096 medical card holders in June 2002. A simple comparison of these figures does not take account of the fact that over 104,000 invalid entries have been removed since 2001, following concerns which arose at that time about inaccurate GMS lists. If allowance is made for the effect of this necessary exercise, there has been a significant net increase in the number of medical cards.

Funding of €60 million has been provided in 2005 to the Health Service Executive, HSE, to meet the costs of providing an additional 30,000 people with medical cards and 200,000 people with GP visit cards. These initiatives will assist in overcoming barriers to accessing GP services, particularly for people on low incomes. They will also help in removing poverty traps and disincentives to people taking up work or progressing to better paying work. 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. I announced on 13 October 2005 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 cards issued with the intention of putting in place the required measures to ensure that the coverage targets are achieved.

Based on data provided to my Department in November 2002 by the GMS payments board, the estimated cost of providing 200,000 medical cards was €150 million. With the additional funding which I have provided in 2005, and the introduction of GP visit cards, a greater number of people will be enabled to gain access to GP services. The question of further improvements will be kept under review in the light of the availability of resources and also the graduated benefits approach introduced with the GP visit card.