Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of full medical cards issued in each of the past six years; the number refused in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22465/08]

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 in respect of the years 2002-2008.

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.

The Health Service Executive does not routinely provide my Department with statistics on the number of applicants who are deemed to be ineligible for medical cards. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of doctor only medical cards issued on an annual basis since its inception; the number refused in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22466/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Details of the number of GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The table below shows the number of persons with GP visit cards for each year since it was introduced (November 2005) up to 2008.

The HSE does not routinely provide my Department with statistics on the number of applicants who are deemed to be ineligible for GP visit cards. 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.