asked the Minister for Health the total and the percentage increase in the cost of the medical services for County Galway for each year from 1971 to date.
Written Answers. - Medical Services Cost.
77.
"Medical services" has been taken to mean the General Medical Services Scheme, that is, the general practitioner and pharmaceutical services provided for persons having full eligibility under the Health Act.
Separate costings for the counties within the health board area are not maintained on a routine basis. The figures used in the reply are based on costings for the area calculated for the County Galway by taking the proportion of the total medical cards issued in the health board area appropriate to that county.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Costs of the General Medical Services in County Galway
|
Period |
Cost |
Percentage Increase |
|
£ |
% |
|
|
1971-72 |
390,500 |
— |
|
1972-73 |
431,500 |
10.5 |
|
1973-74 |
538,400 |
24.8 |
|
1974 (9 months) |
651,700 |
*61.4 |
|
1975 |
1,228,600 |
41.4 |
|
1976 (estd.) |
1,321,700 |
7.6 |
|
1977 (estd.) |
1,464,000 |
10.8 |
* Percentage increase based on a notional 12-month period.