Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 650: To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15290/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15291/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 652: To ask the Minister for Health the time it will take for the primary care reimbursement service office to consider further information regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [15298/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 654: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in the general practitioner visit card; the medical cover it provides and the cohort of persons eligible for same. [15321/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this reform programme the Government is committed to introducing Universal GP Care within the first term of office of this Government.

Initially it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to persons with defined long-term illnesses who are in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. Once primary legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, the details of the new arrangements will be announced.

The GP visit card was introduced in 2005 as a graduated benefit, so that people on lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. The GP visit card covers the cost of general practice consultations. The income guidelines used by the HSE to assess applications for GP visit cards are 50% higher than those used in assessing applications for medical cards.

Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)
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Question 655: To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been issued a general practitioner visit card when all other members in their family have been issued with a full medical card. [15322/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.