James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of full medical cards issued as at year end 2006; the number issued to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25708/07]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioner visit medical cards issued as at year end 2006; the number issued to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25709/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

Details of the numbers of medical card and GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The figures are provided on a net basis showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of an applicant's circumstances. The following table shows the number of medical cards and GP visit cards as at the 1st December, 2006 and as at the 1st October, 2007.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the income thresholds for qualification for a full medical card and for a general practitioner visit card indicating the thresholds for single persons, married couples and single parents; the way in which they vary between age categories and the category of married couples, one of whom is over 70 years and one whom is not, and that of dependent children; her plans to review income thresholds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25710/07]

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 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. Persons aged 70 and over are statutorily entitled to a medical card, regardless of income. In all other cases an assessment of means is undertaken.

Since the beginning of 2005 I have introduced a number of significant changes to the manner in which the assessment for medical cards and GP visit cards is undertaken. The assessment guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29%. Applications are now considered on the basis of income net of tax and PRSI and allowance is made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, child care and travel to work. In June 2006, I agreed with the Health Service Executive (HSE) a further adjustment to the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those used in respect of medical cards.

My Department and the HSE monitor the number of medical cards and GP visit cards on an ongoing basis and the need for changes to the guidelines is kept under review, having regard to factors such as changes in income levels generally, the nature of typical household outgoings and also changes to the various social welfare schemes.

The Programme for Government commits to the following:Indexing the income thresholds for medical cards to increases in the average industrial wage; Implementation of an annual publicity campaign and making applications easier so as to increase uptake amongst those who are eligible for Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards; Doubling of the income limit eligibility of parents of children under 6 years of age, and trebling them for parents of children under 18 years of age with an intellectual disability; Allowing people with disabilities to work without losing key essential medical card cover after 3 years.

My Department is at present considering the steps required to enable these commitments to be implemented. My Department is also examining the steps necessary to give effect to the Towards 2016 commitment to review the eligibility criteria for the assessment of medical cards in the context of medical, social and economic/financial need with a view to clarifying entitlement to a medical card.

The following table gives details of the financial guidelines used by the Executive to assist it in determining if a person qualifies for a medical card or GP visit card. Table showing allowed weekly net income, after income tax/PRSI and allowable mortgage/rent, child care and travel to work expenses are taken into account.