1883. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health to provide the latest annual (or quarterly) estimate for the reduction in the number of people in receipt of full medical cards and the increase in the number of people in receipt of GP visit cards, and to state whether he will give a commitment to increase or at least stop the decline in the number of people in receipt of full medical cards in 2025, given the healthy state of the public finances and the very large increase in the HSE budget. [35584/24]

Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department keeps medical card issues under review in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. Over the course of 2024 and 2025, we will review the existing eligibility framework to clearly assess what is working well and to inform policy proposals to enhance eligibility and access to services based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.

Regarding the latest annual (or quarterly) estimate for the reduction in the number of people in receipt of full medical cards and the increase in the number of people in receipt of GP Visit cards, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.