Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On the 4of July last, I confirmed that eligibility for GP visit cards will be extended to people who earn up to the median household income. Approximately 430,000 additional persons, who otherwise would have attended their GP on a private basis, are expected to become eligible for free GP care under this expansion, the largest expansion in GP care without charges in the history of the State.

The income limits will be increased in two phases in order to allow for an orderly roll-out of the service. The first phase of the roll-out will commence on 11 September next, and the second and final phase will commence on 13 November next.

This expansion in care will be implemented with the agreement of the IMO and will put in place a series of capacity supports to allow GPs to recruit additional staff, as well as increases in fees to take account of the likely increase in demand for services. The total financial package will amount to approximately €130 million in a full year.