Seanad debates
Wednesday, 6 November 2002
Social Welfare Benefits: Motion.
Naturally I looked at child health care very carefully and the medical card situation is very bad. Our statistics are extremely odd regarding the number of medical cards actually available to the population – it is probably less than 30% of the population now; though the figures say 33% it is probably much less. The Minister may remember that last year when the Minister for Health and Children brought in eligibility for medical cards for the over 70s another third of people had to be added on – those who were not expected to be on the register at all. Colleagues in primary care tell me that less than 30% of the population are actually eligible, which affects children first and foremost. We have talked and talked about extending the eligibility of children and perhaps that could be done now – it is certainly one of the most important things in the health sector.
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