asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of County Wexford the number of medical service cards which have been withdrawn since 4th October, 1961, together with the number of persons adversely affected by such withdrawal.
27.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Medical Cards.
26.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of County Wexford (a) the number of current medical service cards and (b) the number of persons included on the medical register.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I am informed by the Wexford County Council that on 1st October, 1961, the latest date for which information is available, there were 9,875 medical service cards current in County Wexford; these covered 32,550 persons whose names were included in the general medical services register. I am further informed that no cards have been withdrawn since 4th October, 1961. Incidentally, the percentage of persons covered by cards in the county, on 1st October last, at 39.1%, is approximately one-third more than the national average.
So that there may be no misunderstanding, I should explain that the health authority completed an annual review of the general medical services register, as required by Article 13 of the General Medical Services Regulations, 1954, on the 30th September, 1961. As a result of this review 470 medical cards were cancelled— 123 as the holders had died, 139 as the holders were no longer residing in the health authority's area, and 208 as the holders, by reason of improved circumstances, were no longer considered eligible for general medical services on the grounds of means.
The holders of the 208 cards cancelled on the grounds of means were notified accordingly during the first two weeks of October. These cards covered 754 persons including holders and dependants.
The figures I have quoted for 1st October, 1961, take account of the cancellations referred to.