Bernard Allen
Question:281 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to introduce free outpatient consultant services for the public; and if so, when he proposes to introduce the scheme.
Written Answers. - Public Health Services Eligibility.
As a result of the new eligibility arrangements announced in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the income limit for Category 2 eligibility will be abolished from 1 June, 1991. There will then be two categories of eligibility instead of the present three:
—medical card holders will continue to be entitled to the full range of public health services, including free outpatient consultant services, as at present;
—all others will be entitled to the services currently available to those at present in Category 2. These include public outpatient consultant services subject only to the statutory £10.00 hospital charge, but do not include outpatient consultant dental, ophthalmic and aural services which are available free of charge to medical card holders only.
The Government's commitment to the position of private practice both within and outside the public hospital system is also clearly set out in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress. Private practice both on an in-patient and outpatient basis will continue to be available to those who wish to avail of it in our public hospitals.