Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1676. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when carers are expected to receive a free general practitioners' visit card following the passing of legislation recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2017, the Government announced that additional funding would be provided to enable all carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance to qualify for a GP visit card. Government approval was given on the 11 April to provide GP services without fees to persons in receipt of either full or half rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and to draft the Heads of Bill to legislate for this provision.
Following the passing of the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2018 on July 11th, 2018 , 14,000 additional Carers are now to receive Free GP Care.
The Bill means that those in receipt of either full or half rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit will be automatically eligible for a GP service free of charge.
Following the passage of the legislation, the HSE will now undertake the necessary operational requirements so that applications for the new services, in both paper and online format, will be in place by 1st September 2018.
