Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proportion of persons aged over 70, who are in receipt of a medical card on grounds of age alone, who are also covered by health insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21453/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Information on the number of persons aged 70 or over and who hold a medical card under the provisions of section 45(5A) of the Health Act 1970 is held by the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Statistics on health insurance coverage of persons aged over 70 and who hold a medical card are not available. Research commissioned by the Health Insurance Authority in 2005 found that 52% of the population had health insurance, with 3% of adults having both a medical card and health insurance.