asked the Minister for Health if medical cards are still being given on a means test; and, if so, if he will indicate the maximum (a) income and (b) valuation to qualify for a medical card.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.
7.
The issue of medical cards is subject to income standards fixed by the health boards individually. There are minor variations in the standards as between one health board area and another and if the Deputy wishes to know the position in his own locality I would suggest he inquire about it from the NorthWestern Health Board.
The test for eligibility for medical cards is not a means test solely. All relevant circumstances including, in particular, high incidence of illness in a particular case or in a family is taken into account?
Does the Minister say that the means test is not strictly applied and that other factors are taken into account?
Yes. There is a hardship clause in the Health Act which allows a medical card to be given to a person where medical expenses are extremely high.
The Minister should inquire further into that because, as far as I know, the means test is being strictly enforced in 99 per cent of the cases. Further, could the Minister say what is the minimum and the maximum means test?
I have not got those figures, but the Deputy can find that out from the South-Eastern Health Board.
I am concerned not alone about the South-Eastern Health Board area but about the whole country.
(Cavan): Do I understand the Minister to say that the means test varies as between one health board and another?
Slightly, yes.
(Cavan): Might I suggest there should be a uniform means test applicable to the whole country?
They have achieved a fair degree of uniformity.
(Cavan): I suggest there should be absolute uniformity.
Why can the Minister not get this information and give it to Deputies instead of expecting Deputies to write to the health board? Surely the Minister is aware that there is a maximum and a minimum and could he not even give these figures as a guideline?
I could not possibly do that, but I like Deputies to keep in touch with their health boards over matters which particularly relate to a health board area.
Surely the Minister knows the amount of writing Deputies have to do at the moment. When a Deputy puts down a question the Minister has civil servants at his disposal to procure the answer for him and, when a Deputy asks a question, he should get an answer from the Minister responsible for answering that question.
I answer 99 per cent of the questions I am asked.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that health boards are manned in some instances by people who have had no training or experience in local administration and who, therefore, very often do not realise the importance of communicating fully with a public representative?
If information services are lacking I would be glad if Deputies would give me the particulars because I am particularly anxious that health boards should be able to communicate effectively.
8.
asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders in (a) County Sligo and (b) County Leitrim in (i) 1970 and (ii) at present.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Sligo |
Leitrim |
|||
|
Number of Medical Cards |
Number of persons covered by Medical Cards |
Number of Medical Cards |
Number of persons covered by Medical Cards |
|
|
1970 |
||||
|
31st March, 1970 |
7,171 |
19,268 |
4,152 |
11,641 |
|
30th June, 1970 |
7,293 |
19,489 |
4,317 |
11,819 |
|
30th Sept., 1970 |
7,406 |
19,722 |
4,420 |
12,047 |
|
31st Dec., 1970 |
7,586 |
20,063 |
4,502 |
12,266 |
|
1971 |
||||
|
31st March, 1971 |
7,722 |
20,320 |
4,555 |
12,385 |
|
30th June, 1971 |
8,860 |
21,592 |
4,622 |
12,522 |
|
30th Sept., 1971 |
7,987 |
20,822 |
4,671 |
12,611 |
|
31st Dec., 1971 |
8,170 |
21,140 |
4,767 |
12,805 |
|
1972 |
||||
|
31st March, 1972 |
5,584 |
16,924 |
4,874 |
12,940 |
|
30th June, 1972 |
6,173 |
14,075 |
4,280 |
9,921 |