Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 20: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the recent study by researchers at National University of Ireland, Galway and Queen's University Belfast showing that almost one in five people here with a medical problem are not going to see their general practitioner due to the cost, as opposed to less than two percent in the six counties; if, in view of this statistic, she will revisit her previous statement that the cost of a general practitioner visit is a private matter and not her Department's concern; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21306/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The study the Deputy refers to has not been submitted to my Department. I understand that while it was recently published that its findings are based on information collected in 2003. Since that time there have been many improvements in the public provision of GP services under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme including the introduction of the GP visit card and the significant reform of the income assessment guidelines for both that benefit and the medical card.

€60 million was provided to the Health Service Executive under the 2005 Estimates for Health to improve access to primary care by providing 30,000 additional persons with medical cards and an additional 200,000 people, particularly those people on low incomes with free access to GP visits with the introduction of the GP visit card. I increased the medical card income guidelines from 1st January, 2005 by 7.5% generally and more so in the case of dependant children so as to assist low income families in accessing primary care services.

In June 2005, I amended 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 is more generous in treating family outgoings on rent or mortgage payments, childcare and the costs of travel to work. This is much fairer to applicants. I announced in 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 for GP visit cards are 25% higher than those used for medical cards. Details of the guidelines and how to apply can be found at offices of the HSE, on the HSE website, www.HSE.ie and on the HSE National Information Line, 1850 24 1850, (between 8.00am and 8.00pm Monday to Saturday). I have introduced these changes because I believe that no one should be put off visiting their doctor because of cost.

As at 1st May 2006, 1,181,089 persons held medical cards. This is an increase of 36,006 persons covered since January 2005 and therefore the target of providing an additional 30,000 people with medical cards has been met.

As at 29 May 2006, 16,920 persons held a GP visit card. I am concerned that there are many people who are missing out on having free GP care. I have asked the HSE to develop a targeted information campaign and this will be launched in the coming weeks. My Department and the HSE are concluding a review of the GP visit card guidelines and I expect to introduce further improvements shortly.

Fees charged by general practitioners for private consultations are a matter of private contract between the GP and the private patient, the doctor as the service provider and the patient as the user. My Department has no role in the setting of these fees.