asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in the State aged 65 or over excluding residents from other EC countries who hold medical cards; and the number of persons in the State aged 65 or over who are holders of hospital services cards.
Written Answers. - Eligibility for Health Services.
657.
The number of persons aged 65 years or over, excluding residents whose entitlement arises from EC regulations, who are covered by medical cards is estimated to be of the order of 300,000.
Hospital services cards provide evidence that a person is entitled to free hospital consultant services. Some 85 per cent of the population are entitled to such services but many of these do not require the services in any particular year and consequently do not apply for hospital services cards. An eligible person without a hospital services card can establish eligibility on receipt of services. It is estimated that of the population aged 65 years or over who have not medical card cover, some 30,000 persons have eligibility for free hospital consultant services and are consequently entitled to a hospital service card.