asked the Minister for Health the findings of the working party set up to examine anomalies in the health services.

This working party has not finalised consideration of the anomalies. As I pointed out to the Deputy in reply to a recent question, the possibility of eliminating the anomalies in question is under examination in connection with the introduction of the recently announced scheme for pay-related contributions for social welfare and health services.

Is the Minister aware that there are many people who are borderline cases suffering considerable hardship by virtue of the fact that they would be unable to meet hospitalisation charges and the fear of such charges leads to a reluctance on their part even to seek medical attention? Is there any way, without disturbing vested interests, in which the £3,000 limit might be increased to cover borderline cases?

As the Deputy knows, this is a very complicated and difficult area.

I do not envy the Minister the task.

Something must be done about it and something will have to be done about it by April, 1979.