Additional 215,000 people will become eligible for GP Visit Card from today

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD has today announced that an additional 215,000 people are now eligible for free GP Visit Cards.

This is the third expansion of the scheme this year, which has made free GP care available to an estimated additional 500,000 people in Ireland.

It follows the roll-out of free GP Visit Cards to 78,000 children aged 6 and 7 in August and changes to the income threshold, which made an additional 215,000 people eligible in September.

Minister Donnelly said: "I am delighted that the three expansions of the GP Visit Card scheme are complete and that the income threshold for cards has increased by over one-third. This expansion is a significant step towards removing cost as a barrier to healthcare and is particularly significant in the current cost of living crisis.

"You may think you do not qualify, but the application process factors in household expenses such as mortgage or rent and childcare, along with income. With the increases in income threshold, now close to half of households in Ireland could be eligible for free GP care." 

The scheme's expansion has been facilitated by an agreement between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Irish Medical Organisation, which put in place a series of financial supports for GPs.

"As we implement the final phase of this expansion, I'm proud to say that close to 850,000 individuals are now eligible for free GP care, including all children up to their 8th birthday and all those over 70. This is in addition to Medical Card holders who also have access to free GP care.

"We're moving closer to universal healthcare, and this progress is underpinned by constructive collaboration with stakeholders so that services can meet demand," Minister Donnelly said. 

GP visit cards for people aged between 8 and 69 are means-tested. The expansion of the scheme has increased the qualifying financial threshold for the following groups:

• The weekly income threshold for a single person living alone increased from €304 to €418.
• The weekly income threshold for a single person living with family increased from €271 to €373.
• The weekly income threshold for a couple without dependents increased from €441 to €607.
• The weekly income threshold for a couple with dependent(s) also increased from €441 to €607, plus an allowance for dependents.
• The weekly income threshold for a one-parent family, increased from €441 to €607, plus an allowance for dependents.

The HSE has developed a simplified online application process, now available at www.hse.ie/GPVisitCards.