Harney relaxes eligibility rules for GP-only medical cards

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has announced a relaxation of the eligibility for GP-only medical cards.

When the cards were introduced, the means test was initially set at 25% above the threshold for ordinary medical cards, but Ms Harney said today that this would be increased to 50%.

The move follows extremely low uptake in the new cards.

When launching the scheme, Ms Harney said it would allow 200,000 low-income families to attend the doctor free of charge.

However, just 18,000 cards have so far been issued and the Government is now planning an advertising campaign urging people to check if they are eligible.