Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1308. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 12 July 2023, the date on which he expects the information campaign in relation to applications for GP visit cards on the basis of income to commence, following his announcement of the new income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36496/23]
View answerAs announced in Budget 2023, the Government will make available access to GP care without charges to those earning no more than the median income. Following the recent agreement with the IMO, the first phase of this expansion in access to care will commence on 11 September, and the second and final phase will commence on 13 November. A public information campaign in relation to applications for GP visit cards under this income-based expansion is currently under development by relevant officials in my Department and the HSE, and it will commence in due course and in advance of the first phase of the expansion.
The expansion of GP care to children aged 6 and 7 will commence on 11 August. Preparation of the communications campaign in respect of this expansion is the current priority for the relevant teams.
