Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

290 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued in each of the health board areas in the years 1990, 1995 and 1999; the percentage of the population that this represents; the plans which exist to review the medical card income guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27645/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The statistics required by the Deputy relating to medical card coverage in the years in question are as follows:

Health Board	1990	1995	1999
Eastern	349,754	372,244	334,031
Midland	82,405	81,386	72,859
Mid-Western	102,212	108,156	96,734
North-Eastern	118,349	126,092	112,673
North-Western	98,270	102,841	98,254
South-Eastern	138,433	147,534	137,281
Southern	172,629	185,734	170,093
Western	159,232	153,068	142,262
Grand Total	1,221,284	1,277,055	1,164,187
% Population	34.86%	35.76%	31.42%

Income guidelines are reviewed annually by the chief executive officers of the health boards, in line with changes in the consumer price index, which are then applied in the assessment of applications for medical cards by them. It should be noted that these guidelines have no statutory effect and that a medical card may be awarded to a person whose income exceeds the relevant guideline if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, undue hardship would otherwise result.