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

The Government is committed to the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to those who earn the median household income or less, as announced in Budget 2023. The measure will remove the cost of accessing GP care from those for whom cost is most likely to prevent access; with approximately 400,000 additional individuals estimated to become eligible under the expansion.

The funding for the expansion, including funding for a significant package of additional capacity supports for general practice, was provided in Budget 2023 within an extensive €107 million package that included other new cost of living measures. At present the expansion has not commenced, accordingly the funding for the expansion has not been spent. Information in relation to the commencement of the expansion will be provided when available.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

396. To ask the Minister for Health when the new increased income threshold for GP-only cards will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30488/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 396 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. The measure will remove the cost of accessing GP care from those for whom cost is most likely to prevent access; with approximately 400,000 additional individuals estimated to become eligible under the expansion.

The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are engaged in intensive discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), representing GPs, in relation to concerns they have expressed around the roll-out of this increase in eligibility with the intention of securing an agreed pathway to implementation.

Information in relation to the commencement of the expansion will be provided when available.

Furthermore, it is intended to commence the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 as early as possible. My officials and the HSE have made preparations for this expansion and engagement is ongoing with the IMO in relation to the necessary fee structures for this service.