Written answers

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Department of Health

Medical Card Eligibility

Photo of Bobby AylwardBobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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306. To ask the Minister for Health if the possibility of extending the provision of general practitioner visit cards to those in receipt of the respite care grant in advance of budget 2019 will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22365/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon 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 on the 11 April 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.

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