Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
352 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons eligible for the full medical card in 2009; the cost for same; the estimated number of persons eligible for the full medical card in 2010; the cost for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48519/09]
View answerDetails of the number of medical cards and GP visit cards are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis, showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of a person's circumstances. The most recent figures provided to my Department by the HSE reflect the position as at 31st December 2009 and show 1,478,560 medical card holders and 98,325 GP visit card holders on that date. The cost of the Medical Card Scheme in 2009 was €1.901 billion.
The HSE has projected an approximate additional 144,000 medical cards and an additional 16,000 GP visit cards for 2010, which will bring the cost of the Medical Card Scheme to €1.986 billion. These costs include the cost of medical cards and GP visit cards.
