asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for a contribution from Central Funds sufficient to ensure that the cost of the health services in Limerick will not exceed 2/6d. in the pound on the rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Health Services.
64.
Mr. O'Malley
I will not.
The Minister's predecessor promised it.
Mr. O'Malley
My predecessor promised no such thing; neither did any of my predecessors.
At a public meeting held in Limerick and attended by Dr. Ryan, then Minister for Health, I asked him the question how much it would cost in the rates. His answer was that the cost would be not more than 2/6d. in the £. Will the Minister now substantiate that?
Mr. O'Malley
It is obvious that the Deputy is confusing the cost to the rates of the health services as distinct from those provided by the Health Act. The health services now cost Limerick city rates 28/4d. in the £. When Dr. Ryan, then Minister for Health, made the statement that, in his opinion, the impact of the Health Act on the rates in Limerick city would not be more than 2/6d. in the £, he was not far off the mark. In fact, the impact of the Health Act on the 28/4d. at present paid is no more than 5/6d., as given in an answer recently by the City Treasurer to the members of the Limerick City Council. At the time that Dr. Ryan made the statement that the cost would not be more than 2/6d., the services were confined to a certain group and they have since been extended. There has been a rise in wages and salaries and the cost of the services, generally. So Dr. Ryan was quite on the ball. The Deputy is confusing the issue.
His estimate was in relation to the full services.
Mr. O'Malley
No.
Yes.
It was before the Act came into operation.
Mr. O'Malley
Deputy O'Higgins is also confused.
We are all out of step but "my Johnny".
As the election proved.
65.
asked the Minister for Health if he will explain why prescriptions issued by private practitioners to holders of medical cards will not be dispensed at public dispensaries in Limerick.
Mr. O'Malley
In general, medicines needed by holders of medical cards are dispensed by the district medical officer who prescribes them; but he is not obliged to dispense medicines prescribed other than by himself.
Limerick Health Authority have arrangements whereby medicines prescribed by private practitioners for holders of medical cards may be obtained from the Medical Supply Section of the Health Authority in Lower Gerald Griffin Street, the medicines being delivered in the country area where they cannot be collected.
66.
asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants refused medical cards by Limerick Health Authority; and if he will state the reason why.
Mr. O'Malley
In the three years since the 1st April, 1962, Limerick Health Authority refused 1,222 applications for medical cards; this is the earliest date for which the information is available.
It is the health authority's function to assess the eligibility of applicants, and I can only assume that the applications were refused because the authority did not consider that the applicants were, under section 14 of the Health Act, 1953, eligible for general medical services, that is that they were unable by their own industry or other lawful means to provide the services necessary for themselves or their dependants.
Almost 40 per cent of the population of the Limerick Health Authority area have medical cards as against the national average of about 29 per cent.
Why?
There is a reason for that. Would the Minister not try to find out?