Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 223: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical card holders in the state in 1997; the number of 2002 and the number in 2006. [28079/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The numbers of medical card holders in the state as requested by the Deputy are as follows: 1997, 1,219,852; 2002, 1,168,745; and 2006, 1,187,370.

The figure shown for 2006 is the most recent figure provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to my Department and refers to the position as at 1 June, 2006.

The decrease in the number of medical card holders since 1997 can be attributed to a number of factors including the improvement in the economic circumstances of the population resulting in less people requiring a medical card on means grounds. Also the ongoing management and review of the medical card databases by the HSE has resulted in the reduction of the perceived numbers who hold medical cards. The database cleansing exercise undertaken by the then health boards in 2003 in relation to the over 70's medical cards, resulted in the removal of 80,000 cards from the medical card database. These cards included duplicate cards, cards for persons who were deceased or cards for people who had left the relevant health board area.

The Health Strategy commits to making improvements in the income guidelines in order to increase the number of persons on low incomes who are eligible for the medical card and to give priority to families with children. In November, 2004 I set out my priorities for new health initiatives in 2005 including the provision of medical cards to an additional 30,000 people and GP visit cards to 200,000 people. Funding of €60 million has been provided to the HSE for these measures. The two initiatives greatly assist those on low incomes accessing GP services and also help in removing disincentives to people taking up work or progressing to better paying work. In June, 2006, 42,287 more people have medical cards than in January, 2005 (1,145,083).

In recent years there have been significant improvements to the way in which people's eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. In January 2005, the income guidelines used in the assessment of medical card applications increased by 7.5%. In June 2005, the means test for both medical cards and GP visit cards was simplified. 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. I believe that this is much fairer to applicants. In October, 2005 I increased the income guidelines for both medical cards and GP visit cards by an additional 20% and on 26 June, 2006 I again increased the income guidelines for GP visit cards and they are now 50% higher than those used for medical cards.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 224: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she conducted a survey of the number of general practitioners per head of population on an area basis in the State; the implications of this for the medical card scheme and for the delivery of primary care in general; the results of such a survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28080/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that such a survey has not been conducted by my Department. In 2004, following consultation with the Irish College of General Practitioners it was agreed to meet short to medium term needs to increase the number of GP trainee places on GP vocational training schemes nationally from 84 to 150, on a phased basis. I have provided additional funding of €2 million in 2005 and an additional €4 million in 2006 for this measure.

My Department, the Health Service Executive and the College are in the process of putting in place arrangements to consider the most appropriate way in which to address the longer-term GP manpower and training needs, in the context of such factors as the projected growth of the population, the demographic profile of the GP workforce, the changing nature of general practice and primary care, and future service requirements generally.