Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
365. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of people under the age of 70 years who held GP-only medical cards for each year from 2016 to 2022; the total number of GP visits made by the holders of these cards in each year; the number who visited the GP more than five times in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20112/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charges to medical card and GP visit card holders. As GPs are private practitioners, data regarding the number of visitations by card holder by age cohort is not available. The annual Healthy Ireland survey may be of assistance in providing estimated visitation rates per age cohort by eligibility status.
In relation to the number of medical card and GP visit card holders under the age of 70 for the years 2016 to 2022, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with this information as soon as possible.
