James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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1542. To ask the Minister for Health when the changes to the income limits for GP visit cards will come into place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17163/23]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1586. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline he is now working towards for expanding eligibility for GP visit cards to people who earn the median household income or less; the reason this was not implemented by 1 April 2023, as committed to in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17363/23]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1698. To ask the Minister for Health from what date in April 2023 median family income will be increased for a GP visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17835/23]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1709. To ask the Minister for Health if the new income threshold for GP visit cards announced in budget 2023 has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17879/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1542, 1586, 1698 and 1709 together.

The Government is committed to the extension of GP visit card eligibility to those who earn the median household income or less, as announced in Budget 2023.

In total, approximately 400,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible under this expansion. This measure will remove the cost of accessing GP care from those for whom cost is most likely to prevent access; helping reduce the cost of living for young adults and young families in particular.

The necessary planning and administrative development work to provide for the expansion is well advanced in preparation for the commencement of the expansion. However, officials from my Department and the HSE are currently engaged in intensive discussions with the IMO regarding the expansion and in particular their concerns on the impact of increased eligibility on general practice and the best use of the additional funding provided in Budget 2023 to support capacity in general practice.

Information in relation to the commencement of the expansion and further operational information will be provided when available.