Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Health the current cost to the State of providing free general practitioner care for those with medical cards. [9507/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2014, the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service made payments in the region of €423 million under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme to GP contract holders in respect of medical card and GP visit card holders.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Minister for Health the current cost to the State of providing free access to all prescribed medicines for those with medical cards. [9508/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2014 the cost of medicines for the medical card scheme was €1.253 billion which includes the ingredient cost and appropriate fees but is net of manufacturers rebate income. Additionally the revenue associated with the prescription charge would be foregone if free access to all prescribed medicines was provided for those with medical cards. In 2014 the prescription charge income is projected to be €120 million.