The details, as requested by the Deputy, are set on in tabular form below.
Health Board
|
No. of medical cards
|
No. of persons covered
|
Percentage of population
|
Year
|
2003
|
2004
|
2003
|
2004
|
2003
|
2004
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority
|
225,906
|
228,017
|
340,109
|
338,777
|
24.27%
|
24.17%
|
Midland Health Board
|
46,219
|
46,589
|
70,315
|
69,879
|
31.20%
|
31.01%
|
Mid-Western Health Board
|
66,541
|
68,034
|
98,416
|
99,605
|
28.98%
|
29.33%
|
North Eastern Health Board
|
64,894
|
64,592
|
103,200
|
100,048
|
29.92%
|
29.1%
|
North Western Health Board
|
59,237
|
60,273
|
98,074
|
98,445
|
44.26%
|
44.19%
|
South Eastern Health Board
|
89,094
|
90,289`
|
138,049
|
137,683
|
32.59%
|
32.5%
|
Southern Health Board
|
121,618
|
120,982
|
176,152
|
172,701
|
30.35%
|
29.76%
|
Western Health Board
|
90,526
|
90,119
|
136,560
|
133,968
|
35.91
|
35.23%
|
Grand Total
|
764,035
|
768,895
|
1,160,875
|
1,151,106
|
29.64%
|
29.39%
|
It should be noted that the upward trend in the population may marginally affect the 2004 percentage over time.