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

Question 330: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number and percentage of under 70 years medical card holders for each of the years 2003 to 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15064/10]

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

Question 331: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number and percentage of over 70 years medical card holders for each of the years 2003 to 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15065/10]

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

Question 332: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioner visit card holders per annum since its introduction; the total cost for same in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15066/10]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 to 332, inclusive, together.

Details of the numbers of medical card and GP visit card holders are provided to my Department by the Health Service Executive (HSE), categorised by age and gender. Details in relation to years 2003 to 2009 are included in a table:

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

Question 333: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average number of prescriptions issued for medical card holders for each of the years 2003 to 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15067/10]

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

Question 334: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average cost of prescriptions issued to medical card holders for each of the years 2003 to 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15068/10]

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

I propose to take Question Nos. 333 and 334 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

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

Question 335: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average cost of a medical card for each of the years 2003 to 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15069/10]

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

There are two main cost factors associated with medical cards, firstly the capitation and other payments made to General Practitioners (GPs) and, secondly, the cost of drugs supplied to patients.

GPs who hold contracts under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme with the Health Service Executive (HSE) are remunerated principally on the basis of fees and payments set out in the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2009. Prior to that, these fees and payments had been agreed as part of the GMS GP contract and amended as appropriate in line with normal wage agreements. Included among these fees are more than 50 different capitation fees. The fees vary depending on the age and gender of the patient and the distance he or she lives from the GP's surgery. For example, fees currently range from €76.98 for a male patient under 5 years living 3 miles or less from the GP's surgery to €218.37 for a female aged 65-70 years living more than 10 miles from the surgery. In addition, there are special capitation rates of €280.31 for persons over 70 residing at home and €896.07 for persons over 70 residing in private nursing homes. There are also a range of additional payments; for example, in respect of out-of-hours consultations, temporary residents, special items of services (e.g. suturing), panel size, practice support allowances and locum expenses.

As regards the supply of drugs and medicines, medical card holders receive these free of charge. Drugs costs vary significantly depending on the patient's medical condition.

Given the number of medical card holders and the variety of payment arrangements and the variation in drug costs over the period 2003 to 2009, a single average annual cost figure in respect of the medical card is not a sufficiently refined measure for policy options and decisions. However, I would draw the Deputy's attention to page 24 of the Primary Care Reimbursement Service's (PCRS) Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments 2007 and 2008 (available on line at: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Primary/Primary_Care_Reimbursement_Service_Payments_2007.pdf and http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/PCRS/PCRS_Publications/FSA2008.pdf). These show the number of eligible persons under the GMS Scheme for the period 2003 to 2008, the total payments to doctors and the overall cost of medicines for those years and the Doctors' and Pharmacy payments per person for those years.