Bernard Allen
Ceist:131 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders in County Cork for the years (a) 1987, (b) 1988 and (c) 1989.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:132 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders in Cork city for the years (a) 1987, (b) 1988 and (c) 1989.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in the format sought. However, a composite figure for the entire county of Cork, including Cork city, for each year from 1987 is as follows: 31-12-87, 148, 127; 31-12-88, 132, 992; 31-12-89, 132, 535.
The reduction in the number of persons covered by medical cards as at 31 December 1988 resulted from the review, to eliminate deceased card holders, carried out by the health board prior to the introduction of the capitation based system for doctors participating in the GMS.