More people to get medical cards

More people will be eligible for medical cards next year and a range of measures are to introduced to ease the A&E crisis.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health & Children, Mary Harney has set out her priorities for new health initiatives in 2005 in the wake of the publication of the Book of Estimates.

230,000 more people having access to free GP services, with new medical cards and a new 'doctor visit' medical card.

Fully staffed acute medical units are to be set up in major hospitals to improve Accident and Emergency services.

Total current spending on health will rise by €950m to €10.5bn, an increase of 9.9 per cent.

All new units in hospitals will be opened with current funding of €50m.

Waiting times for patients will be reduced further by €20m additional funding for the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

The funding will also allow for cancer services to be expanded.

Tánaiste Mary Harney said the department had to prioritise to get results.

"This year's health estimate was drawn up with clear priorities that will make a real difference in people's experience of health care.

"I want to use resources to benefit as many people on lower incomes as possible.

"Parents on low incomes should not have to worry about the cost of bringing their child to a doctor.

"These new measures will take away that worry for many thousands of parents," she added.