asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the fact that this is the international Year of the Disabled, she will arrange to have medical cards issued to all handicapped persons.

Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of a health board, would suffer undue hardship in providing general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants.

If a person is so disabled that it would cause him undue hardship to provide general practitioner services he is eligible for a medical card and he may also be eligible for other types of allowance. Where the presence of a handicap or disability is notified to health board it would be taken into account in assessing an application for a medical card. A person who is not eligible for a medical card may be able to obtain drugs, medicines and appliances free of charge if he is suffering from a prescribed long-term disease or disability. In the circumstances I do not think it is necessary to make an arrangement such as the Deputy suggests.

Would the Minister consider extending the drugs refund scheme to cover the needs of the handicapped?

That is a separate question. If the Deputy would like to put down a question I will be pleased to give him the answer.