asked the Minister for Health the total number of medical cards in use in each of the years 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.
10.
The total number of persons (including dependants) covered by medical cards on 31 December 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985 was as follows: 31 December 1965, 817, 777; 31 December 1970, 852, 717; 31 December 1975, 1,162,386; 31 December 1980, 1,199,599; 31 December 1985, 1,303,273. The nature of the services provided and the method of establishing eligibility for medical cards changed on the introduction of the General Medical Services Scheme in 1972. Accordingly, a comparison of the number of medical card holders prior to 1972 with the number post-1972 would not have the same base.