Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extra amount of money that will have to be provided in 2009, over and above what was budgeted for, to pay for the extra number of people who will qualify for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39372/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In 2008, the Health Service Executive (HSE) spent nearly €1.786 billion on the medical card and GP visit card schemes. The 2009 allocation is €1.888 billion.

To date, the HSE's monthly Service Plan reports show that the medical card and GP visit card monthly expenditure has been within the overall expenditure projected for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. My Department and the HSE will continue to monitor this situation as the year progresses.

Based on the HSE's monthly Service Plan reports, it is estimated that there will be in the region of 1,487,000 medical cards by year end, an annual increase of some 135,000. The estimated number of GP visit cards will be 97,600 by year end, an annual increase in the region of 12,000. If additional funding is required it will be provided.