Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioners only medical cards issued to date; the number of full medical cards issued during the same period; the number of people in receipt of medical cards; the corresponding figures for counties Roscommon and Leitrim respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9704/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Information supplied to my Department by the Health Service Executive's, HSE's, primary care reimbursement service indicates that as of February 2006, there were 1,159,794 persons covered for services under the general medical services scheme, representing approximately 28% of the estimated current national population. This is 14,711 higher than the HSE's figure for January 2005, which represents December 2004 activity. As of 6 March 2006, a further 10,523 people hold general practitioner, GP, visit cards.

The number of persons in receipt of a GP visit card and a medical card in counties Roscommon and Leitrim respectively on 1 February 2006 are set out in tabular form.

In 2005, I made significant improvements to the way in which people's eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. The income guidelines used in assessing applications are now 29% higher than they were at the end of 2004. The assessment is now based on an applicant and spouse's incomes after tax and PRSI and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work, which is much fairer to applicants. The income assessment guidelines bases for GP visit cards are 25% higher than those used for medical cards. The HSE has publicised these changes through a number of measures, including a national advertising campaign, 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 that 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.