Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

246. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an up-to-date estimate of the annual cost of abolishing hospital charges and of extending free general practitioner care to the whole population. [18726/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical or GP visit card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). With regard to the estimated cost of extending free GP care to the whole population, this information is not readily available at this time. More generally, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, it should be noted that my Department keeps medical and GP visit card issues, such as existing income thresholds, under regular review.

As the operational detail regarding hospital charges is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.