Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Health if he will indicate when the measure to extend medical card provision to persons on the long term illness scheme, as announced by budget 2012, will be introduced. [5488/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Health when exactly free general practitioner care will be extended to all claimants of medicines under the long term illness scheme as per the Minister for Finance's announcement in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5600/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 639 and 651 together.

Free GP care, not medical cards, will be extended to persons in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. There will be an announcement in due course about the start date for the new arrangements. It is hoped that the new arrangements will be in place by early summer.