Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Bernard Allen

Question:

289 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions that have taken place with the Irish Medical Organisation since his announcement of the extension of the medical card scheme to the over 70s; and the reaction he has received from the Irish Medical Organisation on this matter. [10026/01]

Bernard Allen

Question:

290 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of consultation that took place with the Irish Medical Organisation before his announcement of the details of the extension of the medical card scheme to the over 70s. [10027/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.

The decision to extend medical card eligibility to all persons aged 70 and over was announced in the budget last December. Consistent with long established practice and procedure, direct discussions on budget decisions, such as this, do not take place with representative bodies or any party outside of Government.

However, the Irish Medical Organisation would have been well aware of the Government's commitment to improve the position of the elderly both generally and also, specifically, in relation to the health services. In that regard, the three year phased doubling of medical card income eligibility limits for those in the age group of 70 and over had already signalled Government intention in relation to medical cards and the budget announcement was simply a logical conclusion to that process.

I met with the IMO at the beginning of March to discuss a number of issues relevant to general practice, including the introduction of automatic medical card eligibility for all persons aged 70 and over. I found the discussion both useful and informative.

Prior to that meeting, the Health Services Employers' Agency had issued an invitation to the IMO to discuss the agreed implementation of the medical card extension. Currently, the IMO and Health Services Employers' Agency are discussing a number of issues in relation to the GMS in general. The HSEA hopes to be in a position to respond, very shortly, to the IMO's issues in a manner consistent with Government pay policy and the proper long-term development of the Irish health services. That will then facilitate progress on the agreed and timely implementation of the medical card extension.