Written answers

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Department of Health and Children

Medical Cards

9:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons granted a medical card per month from January 2008 to date; the number who will apply for the medical card in 2009; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11852/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary 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 (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 most recent medical card figures provided to my Department by the HSE are for January 2009. The total number of medical card holders on 31st January 2009 was 1,356,469. I attach a table showing monthly increases in medical cards from January 2008 to January 2009.

It is not possible to be definitive about the number of people who may apply for or be granted a medical card during 2009. However, having regard to the decline in the economy and the associated growth in numbers on the Live Register, the HSE Service Plan for 2009 provides for a net increase of 81,000 medical cards and 46,000 GP visit cards in 2009. The Executive estimates the average full year cost of a medical card at €1,650 and a GP visit card at €380. The HSE and my Department will be monitoring closely the trends in relation to medical card numbers throughout the year.

MonthNumber of Medical Card HoldersMonthNumber of Medical Card Holders
January 2008+ 4,332August 2008+ 4,621
February 2008+ 8,111September 2008+ 13,784
March 2008+ 3,465October 2008+ 1,515
April 2008+ 10,693November 2008+ 7,573
May 2008+ 3,691December 2008+ 4,771
June 2008+ 5,823January 2009+ 4,349
July 2008+ 7,563

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