Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people covered by medical cards in 1997; the costs of providing medical cards to that number of people today; the costs of providing medical cards to all children under five; the costs of providing medical cards to all under fives added to the numbers at 1997 level of population combined; the cost analysis including and excluding the number of over 70s; the cost of providing medical cards to the population on the basis of median income, including and excluding people entitled to over 70s card. [3039/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Based on information supplied by the Health Service Executive, HSE, the number of persons covered for services under the general medical services, GMS, scheme in 1997 was 1,292,852. The cost of providing general practitioner services and drugs and medicines to a population of this scale under the GMS scheme in 2006 is estimated to be in the region of €1.7 billion. This figure is based on the HSE's estimate of the cost of providing these services to medical card holders in 2006 and assumes the same GMS population profile as exists at present. It should also be noted that the estimate does not take into account the costs of other health services provided free of charge to holders of medical cards.

The following estimates are based on the capitation rates payable in 2004 to general practitioners, the cost of drugs and medicines and fees paid to pharmacists and include an estimate in respect of payments which would be made to GMS GPs for practice support and other allowances. No allowance has been made in these figures for rate changes which might result from the June 2005 recommendations of the Labour Relations Commission or any additional costs which might result from future contractual negotiations.

The estimated additional cost of providing medical cards to all those aged under five years not currently covered by this benefit would be in the region of €66 million.

In relation to the population cohort of persons aged 70 years and over, I understand that the Deputy is inquiring about the cost of providing services under the GMS scheme. GMS GPs are in receipt of enhanced capitation rates for 116,210 persons in this age category at an estimated cost of €239 million. Standard capitation rates are paid in respect of 211,228 persons who held medical cards prior to reaching 70 years of age at an estimated cost of €323 million.