In a significant move to improve healthcare accessibility, the Irish government has expanded its free General Practitioner (GP) visiting card scheme. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recently announced that an additional 215,000 people have become eligible for this scheme, marking the first phase of a two-phase project.
During this initial phase, approximately 430,000 individuals across the country will receive GP visit cards, granting them free access to medical consultations. The second phase is scheduled for November, with the government’s ultimate goal being to provide this essential service to a total of 500,000 individuals. This initiative marks a historic milestone in Ireland, as never before has a government program aimed to offer free medical care to such a large portion of the population.
To determine if you qualify for this program, you can visit the Health Service Executive (HSE) website and provide your information. Eligibility extends to single renters without children (with a maximum income of up to €40,000), couples with children who have one income source paying a mortgage (income up to €53,000), and couples with two children juggling mortgage and childcare costs (income up to €63,000).
This expansion of the GP visiting card scheme is a significant step forward in making healthcare more accessible for the people of Ireland, further ensuring that medical services are within reach for those who need them most.
For more information on eligibility and the GP visiting card scheme, please visit the HSE website: https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/gp-visit-cards/gp-visit-cards/