Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 5

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Donal Carey

Question:

67 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional medical cards issued to those over 70 years as a result of the removal of income criteria; and the projected full year cost of this initiative in 2002. [30914/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The number of additional cards issued to persons aged 70 years and over since July 1 is 67,575. This figure includes people who would have qualified on income grounds as well as those who qualified as a result of the budget provision.

The above information only became available to my Department yesterday afternoon in the course of preparing this reply to the Deputy's question when information in respect of all health boards and the ERHA was assembled. It will now be necessary to validate the current information and I will revert to the Deputy when this has been done.

Details of the projected costs are not as yet available in my Department. I will contact the Deputy as soon as they are to hand.