asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of extending the provisions of the Health Act, 1970 to all groups in the community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services.
6.
I presume the Deputy refers to the extension of all the services mentioned in the Health Act, 1970, to the entire population. As indicated in reply to a question on 2nd November, the additional expenditure from public funds which would arise from this would probably be of the order of £30 million a year.
Would the Minister not agree that the absence of health services covering all sections of the community is just one of the other major impediments to the establishment of a united Ireland and would he not agree that he should do something to ensure that we get a national health service extended to all groups in the community?
I would not agree that it was one of the great impediments to the establishment of a united Ireland.
Ask the Protestant worker, the Unionist.
In the event of negotiations taking place in connection with a unification proposal all the economic questions would have to be debated.
7.
asked the Minister for Health the latest estimated cost in the first full financial year of the implementation of the new general medical health services scheme.
It is estimated that the additional cost of the general medical services arising from the implementation of the choice of doctor arrangements will be £600,000 approximately during the first full year of operation.
On what is that figure based?
On the number of fee services and——
And the number of fees per item?
And also the cost of drugs.
May I ask the number of items per person per year which is estimated?
I have not got that figure.
The Minister has said this before but he will not give an explanation.
I do not intend to give it unless the Deputy asks for it.
Would the Minister mind if I said that his estimate to my mind is about one-third of what the actual cost will be and that is based on reality?
We shall have to wait and see.