Author
Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to the same medical care as Irish citizens in accordance with Section 53(b) IPA. Access to health care for protection applicants is also on the same basis as Irish citizens and they are eligible for medical cards subject to a means test and can register with local GPs.
In order to use a medical card, the holder is required to register with a particular GP, usually one which practices in the area in which the applicant lives, who will provide medical care in respect of the applicant. Medical card applicants are required to have their chosen GP complete a form confirming their acceptance of the applicant as a patient during the medical card application process. Throughout 2024, beneficiaries of international protection, along with Irish citizens, faced difficulties in accessing medical care on the basis of a shortage of available places for medical card holders in GP practices. Whereby a medical card applicant approaches three different GPs and are notified that the GP is unable to accept them on their patient list, the applicant can request that the HSE assign them to a GP who does have capacity. However, in the experience of the Irish Refugee Council, applicants may be left waiting for several months until capacity becomes available and a GP is assigned.[1]
[1] Information provided by the Irish Refugee Council Information and Advocacy Service, January 2025.