asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that was paid under the general medical services scheme to finance the treatment of students over the age of 16 years during 1983; and the amount of this total paid to (i) doctors and (ii) pharmacists.
Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.
273.
The costing of the general medical services scheme is not yet available for 1983. Based on costing information for previous years, it is estimated that the cost of providing services for persons aged between 16 and 25 years was in the region of £3½ million in 1983. The distribution of expenditure in the general medical services scheme is divided roughly in the ratio of one-third to doctors and two-thirds to pharmacists. Of the payments to pharmacists about 80 per cent relates to the cost of drugs.
274.
asked the Minister for Health the cost of treating students over the age of 16 years for in-patient hospital treatment during 1983.
275.
asked the Minister for Health the number of students over the age of 16 years who had in-patient hospital treatment during 1983; and the percentage of these that were also covered by Voluntary Health Insurance for treatment purposes.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.
As information is not collected in the form requested, it is not possible to supply the information requested by the Deputy.
276.
asked the Minister for Health the percentage of students over the age of 16 years that are now eligible for treatment under the general medical services scheme.
Information is not available to enable this figure to be calculated with any precision. I estimate that it is in the region of 25 per cent to 30 per cent.
277.
asked the Minister for Health the number of students over the age of 16 years registered under the general medical services for treatment in 1983; and the number of consultations made by students during 1983.
The 1983 statistics on the general medical services scheme are not yet available.
An estimate which is based on figures for previous years is that about 120,000 students over 16 years of age were on the general medical services register in 1983. These would account for approximately 275,000 consultations in a year.
278.
asked the Minister for Health the average cost per medical card held by a student in 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The estimated average cost of health services provided for a student in 1983 by virtue of his being eligible for a medical card is £27. This estimate relates to persons between the ages of 16 and 25 years who were the holders of medical cards. It is based on the average number of consultations with general practitioners by persons in this age group and on the overall average cost of a consultation. This information is not yet available for 1983 but it has been estimated from information which is available for previous years.
279.
asked the Minister for Health the average cost of a medical card held by an old age pensioner in 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The estimated average cost of health services provided for an old age pensioner in 1983 by virtue of his being eligible for a medical card is £110. This estimate relates to persons 65 years and over who were the holders of medical cards. It is based on the average number of consultations with general practitioners by persons in this age group and on the overall average cost of a consultation. This information is not yet available for 1983 but it has been estimated from information which is available for previous years.