Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
77 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who held medical cards in June 2002 and at the latest date for which figures are available and the proportion of the population this represents in respect of each such date; when it is intended to implement the commitment to extend eligibility for medical cards in order to bring in over 200,000 extra persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/04]
View answerThe details requested are as follows:
|
Date |
No. of medical cards |
No. of persons covered |
Percentage of the population |
|
June 2002 |
783,612 |
1,207,096 |
30.81% |
|
May 2004 |
766,596 |
1,154,861 |
29.48% |
As the Deputy is aware the health strategy includes a commitment that significant improvements will be made in the medical card income guidelines in order to increase the number of persons on low income who are eligible for a medical card and to give priority to families with children and particularly children with a disability. I regret that it is not possible to meet this commitment this year but the Government remains committed to the introduction of the necessary changes during its current term.
