Written answers
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Department of Health
Medical Cards
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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242. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1586 of 18 April 2023, if he can provide any further information as to the date on which he expects to expand eligibility for GP-visit cards to people who earn the median household income or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25320/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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. Approximately 400,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible for a GP visit card under this expansion.
My Department and the HSE are engaged in intensive discussions with the IMO in relation to the concerns they have expressed around the roll-out of this increase in eligibility. These talks, which include engagement on the best use of the additional funding provided in Budget 2023 to support capacity in general practice, are currently ongoing. In the meantime, the necessary planning and administrative development work to provide for the expansion is well advanced in preparation for the commencement of the expansion.
Information in relation to the commencement of the expansion and further operational information will be provided when available.
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