Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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884. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to cases whereby people suffering with chronic conditions do not qualify for GP cards, due to being under 70 years-of-age; the actions she will take to ensure that people in that situation are supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7471/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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GP visit card provision is primarily based on residency and means. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a GP visit card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.

The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card or GP visit card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card or GP visit card.

Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card or GP visit card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card or GP visit card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.

Since September 2018, individuals in receipt of either a full or half-rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit are automatically eligible for a GP visit card. Furthermore, GP visit card eligibility was expanded under the GP Agreement 2023 to all those earning up to the median household income and, on the basis of age, from all children under 6 years to all children under the 8 years. All persons aged 70 years and over are also eligible for a GP visit card.

I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card and GP visit card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card and GP visit card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.