asked the Minister for Health the average number of persons covered by each medical card.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.
93.
The average number of persons covered by a medical card on 30th June, 1973, was 2.0.
Does the Minister appreciate that since 16,399 cards were withdrawn in the past six months, as he informed me last week, that, therefore, there are 32,800 people without cards now who had them six months ago? Does the Minister understand the hardship and the suffering that is being caused by that and how can he reconcile that situation with any desire on the part of his Government to extend the health services?
I bear in mind that there is an increase of 1 per cent of people covered by cards at 30th of June this year on the number there were at 30th of April of the same year.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.
I pray the indulgence of the House to reply to an important question put down by Deputy O'Malley, Question No. 96.
I would be agreeable to the Minister dealing with it because the matter is urgent.