James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people entitled to a full medical card for each of the years 1998 to date in 2008; the number of people entitled to a full medical card for same expressed as a percentage of the population of the day; the income thresholds as they applied for each of the years since 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19025/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Details of the number of medical card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (and before 2005 the health boards). The table below shows the number of persons with medical cards and the proportion of the national population which this represents, in respect of the years 1998-2008.

In addition, as at 1st April 2008, 77,629 persons held a GP visit card.

In interpreting this information, it is necessary to take account of the fact that a substantial programme of work has been undertaken in recent years to improve data quality in the General Medical Services (GMS) client database. For example, in 2003 and 2004, work carried out by the health boards led to a deletion of approximately 104,000 inappropriate entries, where, for example, there were duplicate entries for the same person, the expiry date on the card had passed, the person had moved away or was deceased. This exercise did not involve any reduction in the actual number of persons who held medical cards but rather resulted in a more accurate picture of the number of individuals in receipt of GP services under the GMS Scheme.

I also provide a table for the Deputy showing medical card assessment guideline increases since 1998.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied). [19029/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services qualify for a medical card, which entitles them to a range of health services free of charge. 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 did not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

The assessment of eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged 70 and over, who have an automatic statutory entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants (income and relevant outgoings). The GP visit card assessment threshold is 50% higher than the medical card threshold.

The HSE has informed me that it has detailed operational guidelines in place for the assessment and review of medical card applications. The purpose of these is to ensure that every person entitled to a medical card or GP visit card is given the opportunity to avail of their entitlement and that there is a consistency of approach to means-testing nationally. I understand that periodic reviews are conducted by the HSE in a manner that takes due account of the personal circumstances of the card holder and that arrangements are in place to limit the need for frequent reviews where a review would normally result in the renewal of the medical card.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.