Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

Question 64: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued in June 1997, June 2002, 30 September 2004 and the latest date for which figures are available; if the Government intends to honour the pledge in An Agreed Programme for Government to extend eligibility to another 200,000 people and the commitment provided in the publication of the Estimates for 2005 that 30,000 additional medical cards would be issued from 1 January 2005; the number of the promised 30,000 new medical cards that have been issued since 1 January 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15313/05]

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