Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
111 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of extending medical card eligibility to 100,000, 200,000 and 300,000 additional persons; the amount to which income eligibility limits would have to rise to extend medical card eligibility to 100,000, 200,000 and 300,000 persons; when she intends to extend eligibility to medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25906/04]
View answerOn the basis of the figures contained in the 2003 annual report of the GMS (payments) board the current cost of extending medical card eligibility to an additional 100,000, 200,000 and 300,000 persons would be in the region of €90 million, €180 million and €270 million, respectively. This figure relates to fees paid to general practitioners, the costs of drugs and medicines and fees paid to pharmacists. There would also, of course, be other associated costs with a medical card such as the dental and ophthalmic schemes.
The issue of new income thresholds arising from the extension of the medical card is being examined. The Government is fully committed to the extension of medical card coverage as set out in the health strategy. This will focus on people on low incomes. The timing of the introduction of any extension will be decided having regard to the prevailing budgetary position.
