It is estimated that 200,000 persons will become eligible for free general practitioner services under this initiative. The additional 200,000 "doctor visit" cards will be introduced progressively from April 2005, once the administrative arrangements are in place.
My Department has informed the Irish Medical Organisation of the legal basis for the introduction of the new "doctor visit" cards and the policy objective underlying it. The Health Service Executive is putting in place the necessary administrative arrangements to give effect to this policy decision and is available for discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation on these arrangements. Income guidelines are estimated to be as shown in the following table:
|
Medical Cards2005 Weekly
|
Doctor Visit Cards2005 Weekly
|
|
€
|
€
|
Single person living alone (under 66)
|
153.50
|
191.87
|
Single person living alone (66-69 years)
|
168.00
|
210.00
|
Single person living with family (under 66)
|
136.50
|
170.63
|
Single person living with family (66-69 years)
|
144.50
|
180.63
|
Married couple (under 66)
|
222.00
|
277.50
|
Married couple (66-69 years)
|
248.50
|
310.63
|
Married couple (70-79 years)
|
497.00
|
621.25
|
Married couple (80 and over )
|
522.50
|
653.13
|
Allowance for first 2 children under 16 financially dependent on applicant
|
31.50
|
39.38
|
Allowance for 3rd and subsequent children under 16 financially dependent on applicant
|
34.00
|
42.50
|
Allowance for first 2 children over 16 years financially dependent on applicant
|
32.50
|
40.63
|
Allowance for 3rd and subsequent children over 16 years financially dependent on applicant
|
35.50
|
44.38
|
Allowance for a dependent over 16 years who is in full-time third level education and not grant aided
|
65.00
|
81.25
|
Out-goings on house: rent-mortgage in excess of
|
26.00
|
32.50
|
Reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to work (in excess of)
|
23.00
|
28.75
|