Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 2

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Pat Carey

Question:

117 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people, aged 65 and over, living in each of the health board areas in the country; the average annual cost to the State of an individual medical card; the cost to the State of implementing the provision of a medical card to all people over 65 years of age regardless of means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11610/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The information sought by the Deputy is set out below:

The number of people aged 65 and over in each of the health board areas are as follows:

Health Board	Population 65 years and over (1996 Census)
Eastern	125,171
Midland	25,019
Mid-Western	37,480
North-Eastern	34,812
North-Western	29,395
South-Eastern	46,590
Southern	66,127
Western	49,188
Total	413,882

The average annual cost of a medical card is £228. The cost of granting medical cards to all people over 65 is estimated at £28 million. The Government has identified as a key priority in its programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, a review of medical card eligibility for the elderly and large families, and my Department has made the necessary arrangements to advance this review with the health boards.