James Leonard
Ceist:96 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Health when a general means testing scheme will be introduced which will cover various Departments and eliminate the duplication of means testing which occurs at present. [6085/96]
Written Answers. - General Means Test Scheme.
Limerick East): The health boards operate means tests for certain services and payments funded by my Department, such as medical card eligibility, disabled person's rehabilitation allowance and infectious diseases maintenance allowance.
My Department is at present considering the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to the value for money examination of means testing. The report makes a number of recommendations on how efficiencies might be achieved, including the possible use of a single means testing agency. The report makes clear, however, that there are practical problems in regard to the implementation of some of its recommendations.