Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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330. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend general practitioner cards to all carers in receipt of the respite care support grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17871/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In December 2017, the Government announced that additional funding would be provided to enable all carers in  receipt of Carer's Allowance to qualify for a GP visit card.  Government approval was given earlier this month to provide GP services without fees to persons in receipt of either full or half rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and to draft the Heads of Bill to legislate for this provision.  It is intended that this measure will be implemented this year, subject to the drafting and enactment of the necessary legislation.

There are currently no plans to extend GP visit Cards to persons specifically in receipt of a Carer's Support Grant (formerly known as the Respite Care Grant), however it is noted that many persons in receipt of this Grant will qualify for a GP visit card as the Carer's Support Grant is paid automatically to persons in receipt of Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit.