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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jul 1962

Vol. 196 No. 19

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Holders.

6.

asked the Minister for Health the percentage of population covered by the medical card system in respect to each health authority in the Republic of Ireland, and the income and rateable valuation of each recipient based on the law of averages in respect to each such health authority.

As the reply to the first part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.

The information given in the statement is in respect of the 30th June, 1962, which is the latest date for which it is available.

Compilation of the information requested in the second part of the question would entail examination of the records of each medical card holder of which there are about 283,000 in the State. As this would considerably disrupt the normal work of the health authorities and as the compilation of the information would be expensive, I feel that the results obtained would not warrant the imposing of this task on them. In this connection it is important to note that in determining eligibility for medical cards, health authorities consider each application on its merits and, in addition to income or rateable valuation, take other relevant factors into account, for example, marital status, number of dependants, rent, and unusual medical or other expenses. In these circumstances it is difficult to see how the results obtained by such an inquiry would serve any useful purpose.

Following is the statement:—

Health Authority (County Council except where otherwise stated)

Percentage of population covered by medical cards

Carlow

45.3

Cavan

32.9

Clare

29.4

Cork Health Authority

24.5

Donegal

24.1

Dublin Health Authority

13.0

Galway

42.3

Kerry

35.5

Kildare

34.7

Kilkenny

38.0

Laois

32.0

Leitrim

22.9

Limerick Health Authority

36.5

Longford

45.4

Louth

27.3

Mayo

41.7

Meath

27.5

Monaghan

41.8

Offaly

35.9

Roscommon

45.5

Sligo

26.0

Tipperary (N.R.)

34.2

Tipperary (S.R.)

31.9

Waterford Health Authority

55.4

Westmeath

30.7

Wexford

40.2

Wicklow

35.1

I fully appreciate the second part of the question would involve a lot of work, but the Minister should be aware that in one household in Donegal, where there are five adults with a total income of £6 10s. a week and a valuation of 30/-, the county council has refused a medical card. If the Minister will assure me that this will be investigated, I shall be satisfied.

I shall pass on the Deputy's request to the Minister for Health.

7.

asked the Minister for Health the number of people in each county covered by medical service cards and the percentage of the population per county covered.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.

The information given in the reply is in respect of the 30th June, 1962, which is the latest date for which it is available.

Following is the statement:

County (or County Borough where indicated)

Number of persons, including dependants, covered by medical service cards.

Percentage of the population covered by medical service cards.

Carlow

15,117

45.3

Cavan

18,622

32.9

Clare

21,643

29.4

Cork County Borough

18,721

24.0

Cork County (excluding County Borough)

62,370

24.7

Donegal

27,449

24.1

Dublin County Borough

79,173

14.8

Dublin County (excludCounty Borough)

13,636

7.5

Galway

63,330

42.3

Kerry

41,322

35.5

Kildare

22,334

34.7

Kilkenny

23,432

38.0

Laois

14,399

32.0

Leitrim

7,653

22.9

Limerick County Borough

18,224

36.0

Limerick County (excluding County Borough)

30,280

36.7

Longford

13,924

45.4

Louth

18,338

27.3

Mayo

51,407

41.7

Meath

17,914

27.5

Monaghan

19,717

41.8

Offaly

18,497

35.9

Roscommon

26,946

45.5

Sligo

13,917

26.0

Tipperary (N.R.)

18,336

34.2

Tipperary (S.R.)

22,324

31.9

Waterford County Borough

15,974

56.8

Waterford County (excluding County Borough)

23,539

54.5

Westmeath

16,207

30.7

Wexford

33,442

40.2

Wicklow

20,501

35.1

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