James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of full medical cards issued in 2007; the number of full medical cards issued per county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11311/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioner visit cards issued in 2007; the number of GP visit cards issued per county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11312/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 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 (HSE). 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 a person's circumstances. The table shows the national number of medical cards and GP visit cards at 31st December, 2006 and at 31st December, 2007.

The HSE has the operational and funding responsibility for the granting of medical cards and GP Visit Cards. It collates medical card and GP Visit Card data by county, age and gender. Therefore, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address the other matters raised and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.