Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015
541. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when the introduction of the general practitioner visit card for over-70s will commence; if the card will be issued automatically, or if an application will be necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22993/15]
View answer543. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Health (General Practitioner Services) Bill 2015 to complete its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas; when the roll-out of general practitioner visit cards to all those over 70 years of age will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23021/15]
View answer554. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he expects free general practitioner care to be available to all those over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23100/15]
View answer629. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in introducing free general practitioner care for those over 70 years of age; the expected timeframe for the introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23756/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541, 543, 554 and 629 together.
The Health (General Practitioner Services) Bill 2015 has completed all stages in the Dáil and is scheduled to shortly complete its passage through the Seanad. After the legislation has been enacted all persons over 70 years who are ordinarily resident that do not currently have a medical card or GP visit card will be able to start registering for the GP service without fees in late July and the service will be made available in early August.
