asked the Minister for Health if, in the consideration of the proposed January budget, the anomaly that now exists as between the £2,250 limit for insured nonmanual workers and the £1,600 limit for pensions for retired public servants, will be removed.

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the standards which govern limited eligibility for health services. This is not a matter which arises directly on the budget as a change would be effected by new regulations which would need to be approved in draft form by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

I should point out that the chief executive officers of the health boards are aware of this anomaly and they use the hardship provisions of the Health Act to alleviate any hardship that may be caused by it.