Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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541. To ask the Minister for Health when the introduction of the general practitioner visit card for over-70s will commence; if the card will be issued automatically, or if an application will be necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22993/15]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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543. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects the Health (General Practitioner Services) Bill 2015 to complete its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas; when the roll-out of general practitioner visit cards to all those over 70 years of age will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23021/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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554. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects free general practitioner care to be available to all those over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23100/15]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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629. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made in introducing free general practitioner care for those over 70 years of age; the expected timeframe for the introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23756/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 541, 543, 554 and 629 together.

The Health (General Practitioner Services) Bill 2015 has completed all stages in the Dáil and is scheduled to shortly complete its passage through the Seanad. After the legislation has been enacted all persons over 70 years who are ordinarily resident that do not currently have a medical card or GP visit card will be able to start registering for the GP service without fees in late July and the service will be made available in early August.