asked the Minister for Health why 36 per cent. of the population of County Westmeath have qualified under the provisions of the Health Act, to have their names placed permanently on the general medical register, while only 8 per cent. of the population of County Donegal have similarly qualified; and whether such comparative percentages indicate the presence in County Westmeath of a greater number of persons than in County Donegal who are unable to provide health services for themselves by their own industry, or whether the percentages only reflect different methods in each county of determining family income under the Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Act—General Medical Register.
The percentage of the population which qualifies in any particular county for entry in the general medical register depends on a number of factors, an important one being the number of applications made. For example, in County Westmeath a higher percentage of the population have so far applied to have their names and those of their dependents entered in the register than in Donegal. It does not follow that the figures quoted in the question represent the actual number of persons in the counties in question who are entitled to entry in the register or whose names will eventually be entered therein, as many persons may not apply until they actually need medical help. The present system of registration has only come into force recently and is not yet fully in operation. It replaces a system which was in operation for many decades and it would be premature to draw deductions from comparisons of the numbers entered in the register to date in various counties.