Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has made provision in the 2006 Estimates for increases in the terms and conditions for medical cards and doctor only cards; and the values which will apply after 1 January 2006. [36039/05]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has made provision in the 2006 Estimates for the normal discretion of the Health Service Executive to increase the income guidelines for medical cards and doctor only cards in line with annual moneys in the value of the consumer price index from 1 January 2006. [36040/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.

The Government is committed to providing an additional 30,000 people with medical cards and a further 200,000 people with GP visit cards. Funding of €60 million has been provided in 2005 to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for these measures and this will be maintained in 2006.

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. Taking into account both of these initiatives, 230,000 additional people, including children, will be able to access their general practitioner free of charge.

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.