Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 5

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Ivor Callely

Question:

81 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons over 70 years who have made an application for a medical card on their entitlement under the age criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30756/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The current figures from each of the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority are as follows:

Health Board-Authority	Number ofapplicants
ERHAEast Coast Area Health BoardNorthern Area Health BoardSouth-Western Area Health Board	11,07411,5777,814
Midland Health Board	3,350
Mid-Western Health Board	5,605
North-Eastern Health Board	4,354
North-Western Health Board	2,954
South-Eastern Health Board	7,097
Southern Health Board	9,213
Western Health Board	4,537
Total	67,575

The information given 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