asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to raise the income limit for eligibility for medical cards.

This is a matter for the chief executive officers of the health boards who agree income guidelines to assist them in assessing applications for medical cards. These guidelines are reviewed from time to time by the chief executive officers in the light of changes in the cost of living. The guidelines at present in use came into effect on 1st January, 1977.

Is the Minister aware of the general dissatisfaction at the number of medical cards withdrawn in recent times? Appreciating that the guidelines are set down by the chief executive officers, does the Minister have any jurisdiction to encourage the CEOs to loosen the guidelines somewhat?

Yes. There are actions I can take in the matter but in spite of what the Deputy says the overall percentage of the population covered by the general medical service has been increasing steadily. Earlier I stated that to all intents and purposes it is now 39 per cent of the population. The Deputy may be aware of some cards having been withdrawn because of an increase in income of the families concerned but on the whole the percentage of the population covered has been steadily increasing.

I accept that there has been a gradual increase in recent years but these guidelines should be reviewed regularly. Does the Minister accept that those who do not gain an improvement in their real income suffer substantially if they lose the medical card? Is the answer that a more regular review of the guidelines should be carried out?

They are reviewed annually and that has been the practice for some time.

Is the Minister aware that because of the length of time between reviews the basic categories have from time to time become ineligible for medical cards because of increases granted under national pay agreements? Would the Minister consider advising CEOs of health boards to carry out a review every three months or six months rather than annually?

I will be meeting health board CEOs during the next few days and I will discuss the situation with them. It has been the practice up to now to carry out an annual review.

Is the Minister aware that certain people will lose medical cards because of the abolition of rates if certain provisions are not made by him? Does the Minister intend to make such provisions?

That will have to be taken into account when the guidelines are being reviewed. Over and above all this, the CEOs still have discretion in cases of hardship. The guidelines are only guidelines but the responsibility to avoid hardship still rests with the CEOs.

Will the Minister assure the House that resultant from the abolition of rates next year no person who at present holds a medical card will be disqualified?

The Deputy must have searched very carefully to try to find some detrimental aspect of the abolition of rates on private houses but I will give him the assurance he seeks.

I know of certain borderline cases and that is why I ask the Minister for the assurance. I am glad he has given it.

It will be taken into account.

Has the assurance been given?

Yes. On the whole the abolition of rates on private houses has been widely welcomed by everybody concerned.

It has been welcomed more by the people on the Government side than anybody else.