asked the Minister for Health whether non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces and their families will be permitted to participate in the new choice of doctor scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Choice of Doctor.
9.
Non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces are provided with a general medical service for themselves only by the Army authorities. Where the non-commissioned member would be unable to meet the cost of such a service for his dependants without undue hardship they will be entitled to avail themselves of the choice of doctor scheme.
Is the Minister aware that because of the fact that a non-commissioned member of the Defence Forces has medical services provided for him he is in a weaker position to apply for the general medical card than an ordinary member of the community and that his family, when living outside the barracks, have no medical services whatever available?
The Deputy knows that general medical services are provided for non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces, through the Army medical service, but not for their dependants.
I am calling Question No. 10.