New rules for Laois people entitled to free doctor visit card

Laois people are being urged to take advantage of an expansion in eligibility for the GP Visit Card scheme.

Minister of State and Laois TD, Seán Fleming, says that due to changes in income thresholds and other qualifying criteria it's estimated that about 215,000 more people are eligible for the means-tested cards available to people between 8 and 69.

He said certain costs and bills are now factored into qualification such as rent or mortgages, childcare costs, travel to work costs, house insurance premiums, maintenance costs or nursing home fees. 

GP visit card cover the cost of visits to your GP and visits to GP out-of-hours services. Blood tests to diagnose or monitor a condition are covered. The GP visit card does not cover hospital charges.

"This is very welcome news for families in Laois and across Ireland. This will help many people and families with the cost-of-living and also with more access to healthcare," said the Fianna Fáil TD.

Minister Fleming outlined the changes to the weekly threshold increased for:

• Single person living alone – from €304 to €418
• Single person living with family – from €271 to €373
• Couple without dependents – from €441 to €607
• Couple with dependents – from €441 to €607, plus an allowance for dependents
• One-parent family – from €441 to €607, plus an allowance for dependents

He also outlined the an allowance being added for dependents as follows:

• €57.00 for first and second child aged under 16
• €61.50 for third and more children aged under 16
• €58.50 for first and second child aged 16 or over who are financially dependent
• €64.00 for third and more children aged 16 or over who are financially dependent
• €117.00 for all children aged 16 or over who are financially dependent, in third-level education and not grant aided

He gave examples of who would be now eligible as follows.

• Two parents, with two children earn €104,000 per year. The cost of their rent is €2,700 per month. Their two children are in childcare, costing €700 per week.
• A single person earning €36,000 per year who is currently renting at €1,250 per month.
• A single parent who earns €40,000 and has one child, who attends crèche at a cost of €736 per week.

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Minister Fleming said this is the third expansion of the scheme by the Government this year. He said close to 850,000 people in Ireland are now eligible for free GP care. He said his party is committed to making healthcare more accessible to all people in Ireland.