Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the general practitioner only cards do not cover a patient wishing to obtain the services of the Irish Family Planning Association; if it is her intention to include this service to the GP only medical cards to persons who may not afford it otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35443/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The General Medical Services Scheme is largely a treatment based scheme which provides medical and other services for eligible persons from contracted general practitioners.

Family planning services are available for medical card holders and GP visit card holders from the majority of GMS contract holding general practitioners. If a GP does not provide family planning services, he/she is obliged to refer a patient to a GP who will provide this service.

While the Irish Family Planning Association are being funded by the HSE to provide a choice of family planning services, I believe that GP visit card holders should have access to those services free of charge. I have asked my Department to request that the HSE make the necessary arrangements in this regard.