Vol. 537 No. 5
313 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if health boards will be in a position to implement the decision to grant medical cards to people over 70 years of age with effect from July 2001; if health boards have been contacted regarding this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16700/01]
314 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the full coverage of the extension of medical cards due to come into force on 1 July 2001; when new application forms will be made available; the discussions he has had with the health boards and with representatives of doctors' organisations regarding the timely implementation of this scheme. [16701/01]
342 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional medical cards to be issued under the plan to extend the medical card scheme to the those over 70 years of age; and the number of medical cards that will issue in each health board area. [16877/01]
363 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has finalised discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation regarding the extension of the medical card scheme to people over 70 years of age. [17048/01]
364 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional medical cards which will be issued after July 2001 under the Government's plan to extend the medical card scheme to the over 70s; and the number of new medical cards that will be issued in each health board area. [17049/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 314, 342, 363 and 364 together.
Health boards have been contacted on this matter and have been asked to examine their administrative procedures to ensure a timely implementation of the budget measure. They have also been advised to operate on the basis that this provision will be operative from July 1 2001.
A simple application form has been designed for persons in this age category and these will be available shortly. As I have mentioned in response to previous questions on this subject my Department will introduce a public information campaign very shortly to alert people to the measure and also to give information on how to apply.
Negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation have commenced, through the Health Services Employers Agency, to resolve issues relevant to the implementation of the budget measure.
Statistics available to my Department at present suggest that approximately 34,000 persons are likely to benefit under the budget provision. It is not possible to determine the exact number of persons on a health board basis.
