asked the Minister for Defence if the wives and families of Army personnel are eligible for free medical services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Services for Army Families.
34.
Under the Health Acts, local health authorities are liable for the provision of medical, institutional, and specialist services for soldiers' dependants to the same extent as they are liable for the provision of such services for other members of the community in the corresponding categories as to social insurance and income. NCOs and privates are insured under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, as amended. Where the dependant receives the treatment in a public ward of a local authority hospital, or in a public ward of a hospital approved by the local health authority for the treatment of their patients, my Department defrays the charges made by the health authority. My Department also defrays the charges for specialist services provided by a health authority under section (15) of the Health Act, 1953, as amended.