asked the Minister for Health the reason for the recent investigations by officials of the Western Health Board in relation to medical card holders; and the number of cards withdrawn by the board as a result of these investigations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Review.
19.
The investigations to which the Deputy refers are the normal review of medical cards which is undertaken from time to time by all health boards. Such a review is at present in progress in County Mayo and I am informed that while some cards have been cancelled in respect of persons who have left the area or have died, none have been withdrawn so far on grounds of means.
I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to put it to the Minister that in view of the fact that the guidelines will have to be altered and put up by the end of the year and the cost of the review of these cards to the State, he cancel it until the guidelines are altered to meet inflation. We hope they will be altered substantially upwards at the end of the year.
As the Minister said in reply to a question yesterday, the guidelines will be reviewed at the end of this month.
Why go to the expense of reviewing the cards which will probably be left to people when the guidelines are up? Why not cancel the review until the guidelines are altered?
This review has been going on for a few months and will take a few more months to complete.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary happy with the present level which qualifies a person for a medical card?
That is another question.
I gather he is not happy.