Vol. 452 No. 8
119 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by many women, especially in rural areas, in availing of pre and postnatal care due to transport costs and the inaccessibility of facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8886/95]
Limerick East): I am not aware of difficulties faced by women in availing of pre and postnatal care. I wish to point out that under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme all women, regardless of income, are entitled to avail of the services of a general practitioner, free of charge, during pregnancy and for a period up to six weeks following the birth.
Instead of (or as well as) availing of the ante natal services provided under the scheme by general practitioners, a woman may also avail of outpatient ante natal services provided free of charge of public maternity hospitals. In a case where hospital treatment is required and transport cost is an inhibiting factor the health board has discretion to assess each case on its merits.
