Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the 30,000 additional full medical cards that were promised in November 2004 that have been issued; the number and percentage of the population covered by full medical cards at the latest date for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8539/06]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the promised 200,000 general practitioner cards that have been issued to date; if she has satisfied herself with the roll-out of these cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8540/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 112 together.

Information supplied to my Department by the primary care reimbursement service of the Health Service Executive, HSE, for February 2006 indicates there are 1,159,794 persons covered for services under the general medical services scheme who are medical holders, representing approximately 28% of the estimated current national population. This is 14,711 higher than the HSE's figure for January 2006, which represents December 2005 activity. A further 9,984 people currently hold general practitioner, GP, visit cards.

Since 2005 I have made significant improvements to the way in which people's eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. In January 2005, I increased the income guidelines used in the assessment of medical card applications by 7.5%. In June 2005, 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 they were at the end of 2004. It will be noted that the income assessment guidelines based for GP visit cards are 25% higher than those used for medical cards. The HSE has publicised these changes to encourage people to apply and has made the application process as simple as possible.

In December 2005, my Department asked the HSE to take account of the welfare, taxation and other changes announced in the budget on the operation of the income guidelines and to identify any changes which may be required in order to ensure that medical cards and GP visit cards continue to be available to those who need them. The HSE has recently responded and its report is under consideration. My Department and the HSE will continue to monitor the number of cards issued and will examine any further changes to ensure the targets of an additional 30,000 medical cards and the provision of 200,000 GP visit cards are met.