(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health if he will tabulate a list of dispensary districts under each health authority, giving in respect of each such district (a) the total population, (b) the number of issued health cards and (c) the size (area).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dispensary Districts.
3.
The latest information available in respect of populations of dispensary districts is that extracted in connection with the 1956 Census and is contained in Table No. 10 of the Volume in relation to that Census presented to the Oireachtas and Presentation No. 3983. The boundaries of a small number of these dispensary districts have been changed since 1956. The corresponding figures obtained in the 1961 Census are not yet available.
The Table mentioned also shows the area of each Dispensary District as it was on the 1956 Census date.
While the total number of persons covered by medical cards in each Dispensary District at the end of October last is available in my Department, information as to the number of issued medical cards in each district is not available. I propose to ask health authorities to indicate the number of medical cards current on the most recent convenient date in each district and the total number of persons covered by these cards. When that information has been obtained, I shall have it tabulated, along with the best available information as to population and areas, and will forward it to the Deputy and also to the Select Committee on the Health Services. The Deputy will appreciate that this table will take some time to prepare as there are over 600 Dispensary Districts in the country.