asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of health services under the Health Acts the total number of persons now (a) entitled to free services and (b) estimated to be entitled to partially free services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services: Free and Partially Free Treatment.
15.
The entire population is eligible for the free service for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis. Neither is there any means test for the School Health Examination service made available to children attending national schools, or for the services at child welfare clinics.
The services of the dispensary medical officer and other specifically "lower income group" services (such as dental, ophthalmic and aural services, Maternity Cash Grants and Disablement Allowances) are available free to those needing them in a group which is estimated to number about 830,000 at present.
The general Institutional and Specialist Services and the Mental Treatment Service are available to the lower and middle income groups, which together are estimated to include about 2,500,000 persons. These services are free to the 830,000 persons in the lower income group and such of these in the middle income group as the health authorities may decide upon. Charges, as specified in the legislation, may be made on the others eligible for these services. The Maternity and Infant Care Service (including hospital treatment where required) is available without charge to women in the lower and middle income groups.