James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people eligible for the full medical card, the general practitioner card, the long term illness scheme and the drugs payment scheme as at the end of October 2009; the 2009 financial allocation for same; the amount spent to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41218/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 163: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons eligible for the full medical card, the general practitioner card, the long term illness scheme and the drugs payment scheme per annum year since 2004 in tabular form; the number of persons provided for in 2009 estimates; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41220/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 163 together.

Details of the number of medical card holders and GP visit 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 figures provided by the Executive to my Department reflect the position on the 30th September 2009. The following table shows the number of medical card holders and GP visit card holders at the end of each of the last five years, and on 30th September 2009.

In 2008, the HSE spent nearly €1.786 billion on the medical card and GP visit card schemes. The 2009 allocation is €1.888 billion. The actual expenditure by the HSE on the medical card and GP visit card schemes up to 30th September 2009 was €1.381 billion.

The following table shows the number of eligible persons and the number of claimants under the Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment Schemes at the end of each of the last five years.

Figures for the number of eligible persons up to October 2009 for the Drugs Payment Scheme and the Long Term Illness Scheme are not currently available and shall be forwarded directly to the Deputy from the Primary care Reimbursement Service of the HSE shortly. The HSE has budgeted €143m for 2009 for the Long Term Illness Scheme and €343m for the Drugs Payment Scheme. The latest figures available from the HSE show that the actual cost up to end of September 2009 for the Long Term Illness Scheme is €119m and €276m for the Drugs Payment Scheme. The latest HSE figures available up to the end of September 2009 show that the number of claims made under the Drugs Payment Scheme is 3,832,831 and that the number of claims made under the Long Term Illness Scheme is 681,553. The number of claims budgeted for 2009 is 6,252,629 for the Drugs Payment Scheme and 909,926 claims for the Long Term Illness Scheme.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 162: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average cost of a full medical card; how this figure is arrived at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41219/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy regarding Parliamentary Question 21860/09, the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan for 2009 gives the annual average cost of a medical card as €1,650 approximately. This figure does not take account of any reductions in professional fees and allowances introduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. My Department has asked the HSE to furnish it with an up-to-date figure in this regard and the basis for same and I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 164: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the income guidelines for medical card eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41221/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The full income guidelines as of 1st January 2009 that apply to applicants for a medical card or a GP visit card are set out in the following table.

Additional guideline allowances will be given for:

Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent/mortgage payments;

Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of childcare costs;

Reasonable expenses incurred in travel to work.

The assessment of eligibility for Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards will be based on the combined income of the applicant and spouse (if any) after tax and PRSI have been deducted.

Applicants, whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare or Health Service Executive allowances/payments, which are in excess of the Financial Guidelines (either at first application or on renewal), will be granted Medical Cards.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the details of the review for medical card eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41222/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is currently reviewing the eligibility criteria for the assessment of medical cards in the context of financial and medical need in line with the commitment in Towards 2016 to clarify entitlement to a medical card and having regard to the following:

The policy objectives underpinning the medical card/GP visit card.

Income assessment guidelines.

The need or otherwise to retain some element of discretion in the new system.

Maintaining/improving incentives to employment and avoiding benefit traps.

The financial and operational implications for the HSE of any proposed changes to the existing system.

Transitional arrangements in moving to any new system with particular reference to the implications for current card holders.

The commitments in the Programme for Government.

A Steering Group has been established to carry out this work and is expected to report shortly.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person who has been unemployed for a minimum of 12 months can retain their medical card for three years after commencing employment; the number of persons who can retain their medical card for three years after commencing employment; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41223/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Health Service Executive's Medical Card / GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines for 2009, persons in receipt of either the Job Seekers Allowance or the Job Seekers Benefit for a period of 12 months or more are entitled to retain their medical card for 3 years on taking up employment. The other information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the HSE to my Department as a matter of routine. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters addressed and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the findings of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that the operation of the income guidelines under the medical card scheme is resulting in medical cards being granted on grounds that are not transparent, equitable and in many instances not based on medical need and affordability and that this is at odds with the original objectives of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41224/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government announced, in its Statement on Transforming Public Services on 27 November 2008, that the Minister for Finance was establishing a Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Government Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances. The Group under the chairmanship of Mr. Colm McCarthy, published its report on 16th July 2009. Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.