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New data released to the Dáil show Ireland has spent just over €101 million on medical cards for people from Ukraine since 2022, with almost €34 million recorded in the most recent year. The figures underline persistent pressure on public health funding as the State also reviews eligibility rules for those here under temporary protection.
How much was spent and who provided the figures
The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) supplied the numbers in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Albert Dolan. The PCRS said €33.88 million was spent on medical cards linked to people from Ukraine in the most recent year, bringing the cumulative total since 2022 to about €101 million.
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The Department of Health had originally budgeted €20 million for medical cards for Ukrainians for that year, meaning actual spend was almost €14 million higher than planned. The PCRS also highlighted a notable rise in presentations from people arriving from Ukraine late in the year.
Annual breakdown and totals
The PCRS provided an annual breakdown showing €14.15 million in 2022 and €24.2 million in 2023. It also reported a figure of €28.96 million for 2024. Across the period, more than 89,000 medical cards have been issued to people from Ukraine, with roughly 54,500 active at the end of the most recent year.
Who qualifies and what a medical card covers
Under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive, people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine receive immediate protection status in Ireland and are eligible for a medical card on arrival. Holders are entitled to free public healthcare, including hospital services, prescription medicines and GP visits.
New arrivals can apply for a medical card and request a health screening to ensure they can access services on the same basis as other cardholders.
How approvals are managed
The HSE generally assesses each medical card application on a case-by-case basis, principally taking account of an applicant’s financial circumstances. Where approved for people from Ukraine, medical cards are usually issued for one year, after which a means test determines ongoing eligibility.
In some instances, a full medical card may be replaced with a free GP visit card, which has a lower income threshold. The overall eligibility rules are reviewed annually, although the income threshold used for means testing has not been increased in almost 20 years.
Other groups and wider policy changes
Separately, the PCRS figures show that 21,545 people who were granted or were seeking asylum in Ireland last year received either a medical card or a free GP visit card through the health service.
Several reforms to temporary and international protection processes are under consideration in the Dáil. Government plans reported earlier this year signal that, from next year, Ukrainians will need to demonstrate they are “self-sufficient” to remain in Ireland and enter a pathway to citizenship. Ministers are also preparing to withdraw most long-term accommodation supports for around 60,000 Ukrainians by March 2027.
