asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of including the middle income group in the free choice of doctor scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Choice of Doctor Scheme.
39.
On a strictly proportional basis, related to the cost of the present choice of doctor scheme, the cost of extending it to the middle income group would be of the order of £20 million.
Has the Minister taken into account in that figure the reduction in the cost of hospitalisation?
The figure as given here by my Department officials has, no doubt, taken all details into account.
With due respect to the Department, they have not been able to give figures in regard to the reduction in hospitalisation costs since the choice of doctor scheme was introduced. Would the Parliamentary Secretary give me that information? Would he ask his officials to reconsider that figure and get their information up-to-date before providing it?
I will do that.