Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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489. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on promised plans to extend free GP care to all under 12s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32020/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government is strongly committed to the development of primary care services in Ireland. There have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the Health Service Executive.

The HSE, Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the GMS and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. To date, agreements have been reached in relation to universal GP care without fees for all children under the age of 6 years, universal GP care without fees for all people aged 70 years and over, a specific Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult patients with Type 2 diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card, a new Rural Practice Support Framework and a revised list of special items of service that can be provided by GPs. Preparations for the next phase of the discussions on other aspects of a new contract are under way and I expect that further engagement with GP representative bodies will take place this year.

The Programme for Government commits to extend in phases, and subject to negotiation with GPs, free GP care to under-18s. This is one of the matters to be discussed in the forthcoming contractual discussions with GP representatives. The extensions of GP care without fees to children aged 6-11 years is a priority for me. While my wish is that this would happen as soon as possible, the timetable is subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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490. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to adjust the income limits for the over 70s medical card to ensure that pensioners do not lose their entitlement to the card due to the €5 increase in the State pension in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32022/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013, when a person attains the age of 70, the medical card income limits are €500 gross income per week for a single person and €900 gross income per week for a couple. Any revision of these medical card income thresholds requires primary legislation.

Persons aged 70 or older, who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds, may also have their eligibility assessed under the means-tested medical card scheme if they so wish, for example in the event that they face particularly high expenses, e.g. nursing home or medication costs. This scheme is open to all persons, irrespective of their age and assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses. The qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over-70s gross income thresholds. In setting the assessment guidelines, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has regard to Government policy as outlined by the Minister for Health, changes in the consumer price index and other issues which may be relevant.

Furthermore, persons, including those aged over 70 years, may be deemed eligible for a medical card on a discretionary basis, if they are judged to face undue hardship in arranging GP services as a result of medical or social circumstances. In addition, from August 2015, all persons aged 70 or older qualify for a GP Visit Card, regardless of income.

The Deputy will be aware that the increase in the State pension takes effect from March 2017. In the meantime, I have asked my Department to consider with the HSE the impact, if any, which this increase may have on people's ability to qualify for a medical card under the gross income threshold arrangements. It would be the Government's intention that people would not be adversely affected.