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