asked the Minister for Health if charges for outpatient treatment to qualified persons under health legislation are still being made in Dublin hospitals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges for Outpatient Treatment.
21.
So far there has been no change in the position about charges for outpatient specialist services provided under the Health Acts but, as foreshadowed in the White Paper on the Health Services, the abolition of these charges is to be provided for in forthcoming legislation.
The present position is that these services are available free of charge for persons in the lower income group, for maternity patients in the middle income group and their infants up to six weeks of age, and for national school children who require treatment for defects discovered at school health examinations. Other eligible persons are required to pay 2s 6d on attending for a consultation and 7s 6d for an X-ray examination.
Having regard to the view expressed in the White Paper that the cost and trouble of collection far outweigh any benefit to the Exchequer, would the Minister consider recommending that these small charges be no longer collected?
We might as well wait for the legislation.
Why impose upon people the agony, trouble and inconvenience of these charges which are admitted to be an insignificant contribution towards health costs?
I think it is a statutory charge.