Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the contingencies in place to cater for the increased number of persons qualifying for the medical card as a result of the economic recession, including the rise in unemployment and dependance on social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6601/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The purpose of the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme is to ensure that the medical card benefit is available to those who are unable to meet the cost of general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational responsibility for the GMS Scheme. The number of persons with a medical card has increased by over 200,000 since 2005 and now stands at over 1.35 million.

The HSE service plan for 2009 highlights the impact of the continued decline in the economy, the associated growth in numbers on the Live Register and uptake of demand led schemes as an ongoing challenge for 2009 and consequently, it has provided for an additional net increase of 81,000 medical cards and 46,000 GP visit cards in 2009.