asked the Minister for Health if any statistics are available to indicate the number of persons insured under the Social Welfare Acts (excluding holders of medical cards) who availed of hospital and medical services under Section 15 of the Health Act, 1953, towards which a contribution was made by such persons to local health authorities in a recent period; and if he will indicate them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital and Medical Services.
3.
As has been explained in reply to similar questions in the past, many persons who receive health services as members of one eligible class could also be properly regarded as members of another eligible class. Many agricultural small-holders are also insured persons, and the majority of insured persons are also within the terms of the Acts by reason of their being persons whose yearly means do not exceed £800.
For these reasons it would be misleading to regard the number of persons who claim and receive services as members of a particular eligible class as representing the total number of persons in that class for whom services are made available, and it would be impossible to apportion to any one of the categories of eligible persons a part of the total income from charges made by health authorities.