Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 236: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the approximate annual cost for the introduction of doctor-only medical cards for those under 16; the cost for a full medical card for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3093/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On the basis of the figures contained in the 2004 annual report of the Health Service Executive, shared services, primary care reimbursement service, it is estimated that the additional cost involved of providing GP visit cards to all those non-medical card holders under 16 years of age will be in the region of €129 million. On a similar basis, the cost involved of providing medical cards to all those non-medical card holders under 16 years would be approximately €181 million. These estimates are calculated by reference to the average annual capitation fees paid to general practitioners under the General Medical Services scheme for patients in this age cohort and include an estimate of other costs in respect of allowances and special payments which would be payable to GPs.

The above estimate for the provision of medical cards to people aged 16 years of age includes the average costs of drugs and medicines and fees paid to pharmacists at the end of 2004. However, the costs of other benefits for medical card holders under the dental and ophthalmic schemes are not included. The estimates do not take account of fee increases which would apply under the terms of the Labour Relations Commission's recommendations of 20 June 2005 and any additional costs which might result from future industrial relations negotiations.