John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

397. To ask the Minister for Health if general practitioner cards will be extended to all carers in receipt of the respite care support grant. [30066/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 enactment of the necessary legislation which is currently passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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.