Vol. 241 No. 7
asked the Minister for Health whether the examination of the feasibility of introducing a contributory scheme to finance part of the cost of health services referred to in paragraph 36 of Chapter 16 of the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development has been completed; and, if so, if he will make available a detailed report of that examination by way of a white paper or otherwise.
9.
asked the Minister for Health whether the examination of the feasibility of introducing a contributory scheme to finance part at least of the health services available to the middle income group, referred to as almost completed in Chapter 15, Par. 26 of the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development published four and a half months ago, has now been completed; and whether he will publish the report on this examination.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
This examination has not yet been completed but I should hope that it will be completed soon. At that stage the suggestions in the concluding parts of the Deputies' questions will be considered.
Will the Minister accept that as this is a matter concerning a vast number of citizens, they would naturally like to have available to them whatever information is available to the Minister before he reaches a decision on the matter?
There would be no purpose in keeping from the people at large the economic considerations of this whole matter which, as I have discovered already, are immensely complex and involve very great difficulties and problems which must be faced if there should be a contributory system adopted by the House.
