James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of doctor only medical cards issued to date, with a breakdown on a county basis of where these have been issued; the average income of those who have received these cards; her proposals to improve the uptake of these cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17481/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

Since the beginning of 2005 substantial changes have been made to the way in which people's eligibility for a medical card is assessed and these apply equally to the assessment process for a GP visit card. The income guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29% and in addition allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work costs. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.

As of 1st June 2007, 68,208 people held GP visit cards. I should add that between 1st January 2005 and 1st June 2007 a net additional 98,383 medical cards were also issued. The Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for the GP visit card and is the appropriate body to address the other issues raised by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.