James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason 250,000 people at risk of poverty have not been granted medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19222/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the Combat Poverty Agency's (CPA) recent health policy statement. The research supporting the CPA statement was conducted in 2005. Consequently it does not take into consideration the major changes and developments made from the beginning of 2005 and in 2006 to the manner in which the assessment of medical card and GP visit card applications are undertaken.

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%. In addition, income is examined after tax and PRSI and allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work costs.

In 2005 I introduced the GP visit card 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. Initially the income guidelines used to assess applications for GP visit cards were 25% higher than those used for medical card applications. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the income guidelines for GP visit cards. These are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.

As of 1st June 2007, 1,243,466 people held medical cards. This is 98,383 more people than in January 2005 (1,145,083). As of 27th June 2007, 77,844 people held GP visit cards. Thus, since January 2005 176,227 additional people have access to GP services without charge.