I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 115, 134, 136 and 143 together.
The number of medical cards issued and number of persons covered by a medical card for the dates requested are set out in the following table.
Date
|
Number of medical cards
|
Number of persons covered by medical cards
|
% of population
|
Population
|
June 1997
|
740,451
|
1,244,459
|
34.37
|
3,621,035 (1996 census)
|
June 2002
|
783,612
|
1,207,096
|
30.81
|
3,917,336 (2002 census of population (preliminary))
|
September 2004
|
768,895
|
1,151,106
|
29.39
|
3,917,203 (2002 census)
|
June 2005
|
772,869
|
1,147,007
|
28.36
|
4,043,800 (official estimate of population at September 2004)
|
Generally the reduction in recent years in the number of medical cards may be attributed to the increase in the number of people in employment and also the improved economic situation nationally. Additionally, during 2003 and 2004, health boards undertook a review of medical card databases in which approximately 104,000 medical cards records were removed. Normal reviews of databases lead to deletions of medical card records as a result of duplicate entries, change of address, cases where the medical card holder is deceased or ineligibility results due to changed circumstances. Periodic reviews of medical card databases are undertaken by the Health Service Executive, HSE, to ensure their continued accuracy.
In 2005 funding was provided to allow the HSE provide an additional 30,000 people with full medical cards and also to extend free access to general practitioner services under the general medical services, GMS, scheme to up to a further 200,000 persons. The reason for this initiative was to ensure that as many people as possible, particularly those on low income and with children, would be free from the worry of costs associated with accessing general practitioner services for themselves and their children.
The HSE has put in place the necessary administrative arrangements for the introduction of the "GP visit" cards and have been requested to put in place mechanisms to ensure that targets are met. It is intended that a public information campaign will be undertaken which will indicate the process to be followed by applicants to obtain application forms and to have their eligibility assessed by the HSE. It is envisaged that the general practitioners services available to "GP visit" card holders will be the same as those available to patients with full eligibility under the GMS scheme. The Labour Relations Commission last night issued a comprehensive recommendation for settling a range of issues between the Department of Health and Children, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, including issues surrounding the introduction of the "GP visit" card. I welcome the recommendation and I am hopeful that it will be accepted by the IMO so that the "GP visit" card initiative can be implemented without further delay.