asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for a review of the income guidelines for determining eligibility for medical cards; and if he will make these new guidelines effective from 1st July, 1976.

Income guidelines which are used in determining eligibility for medical cards are fixed by the chief executive officers of the health boards. The chief executive officers keep the guidelines under regular review and adjust them periodically in line with changes in the cost of living. The guidelines now in use were introduced on 1st January, 1976. I understand that the chief executive officers will review these guidelines, and decide whether any change is now called for, when information on the change in the consumer price index up to mid-May, 1976, becomes available.

Is the Minister aware that in 1975 because of the change in the consumer price index it was found necessary to make an interim adjustment that became operable on 1st July, 1975 and a further one then at the beginning of this year? Would he not agree that the inflationary trends have not been arrested in 1976 and could he give a good reason why the same should not apply this year? Does he think that the delay in changing the guidelines will mean that people who need medicines and medical attention are deprived of them because of the guidelines not being changed?

I have told the Deputy that the chief executive officers will review these guidelines and have reference to the consumer price index from the last time they reviewed it which was in January, 1976. They will review this at the beginning of July.

Will the Minister not agree that when a situation existed in 1975 which demanded that the guidelines be changed in July and again in January, if the same situation exists this year, and there is a delay in implementing a change, it means that people are being less well treated this year than they were last year?

There is no delay. The same procedure will be gone through this year as was gone through last year.

If a decision is not going to be made this month, we are very near the 1st July now. Are there hopes that this might be announced before 1st July?

Not before the 1st July but in the beginning of July.

Does the Minister not agree then that it is possible to announce it before the 1st July, 1975 and it seems to be impossible to introduce it before the 1st July, 1976 that the health situation is worsening in the country?

It is not worsening. As far as medical cards are concerned, there is a far bigger percentage of the population covered now than when the Deputy's party was in power.

Are they uniform from board area to board area?

They are uniform.

Order.

The Minister is aware that the reason why there are more people covered is that all school children are looking for medical cards now. That is not the point. Would the Minister give a direction to the health boards to the effect that £28.05 or whatever it is is a ridiculous level for a man and his wife—old age pensioners—who cannot get medical cards at the moment?

That is a matter that will be considered by the chief executive officers. I am not empowered to give a direction nor was any other Minister for Health given power to issue directions to the chief executive officers in regard to the guidelines.

Questions No. 13. Order.

Just one supplementary, please.

I have called the next question. The Deputy will please obey the Chair.

It is a very important matter.

Question No. 13.