asked the Minister for Health if she will discuss an increase in line with inflation in the qualifying limits for medical cards with the personnel of the various health boards.

The criteria for eligibility for medical cards are set down in section 45 of the Health Act, 1970. Responsibility for applying these criteria in deciding on applications for medical cards rests with the chief executive officers of the health boards. To assist them in making such decisions, the chief executive officers have drawn up income guidelines. These guidelines have been revised periodically to compensate for inflation. I understand that a review of the guidelines will shortly be undertaken by the chief executive officers.

I understand that health boards are contemplating increasing the qualifying limit by something less than half the rate of inflation. Would the Minister and his Department ensure that this will not happen and that it is kept much nearer to the annual rate of inflation?

I am not aware of such a decision. If the Deputy has any information in that regard, I would be glad to receive it. It is a matter for the CEOs and the health boards to do it annually.

Is the Minister seriously telling the House that the health board chief executive officers can review the qualifying limits for medical cards and set the limit at what they consider necessary and that it is not a matter for the Minister or the Department of Finance? I do not accept this, it is not true. The Minister should not mislead the House by suggesting that it is. I would like the Minister to make it quite clear that the funds for the revised limit must be approved by the Minister for Health and that those funds must be approved by the Department of Finance.

I resent being accused of trying to mislead the House. I said it was a matter for the chief executive officers of the Southern Health Board. Of course it must have some relevance to the overall allocation that will be made to the boards. I accept that but it is ultimately a matter for the chief executive officers.

I accept the Minister's statement that he is not attempting to mislead the House. I am sorry if I conveyed the impression that he was purposely intending to mislead the House. The House could have been misled by virtue of the facts which were stated. If the chief executive officers were to increase the qualifying limits for medical cards by 50 per cent, would the Minister be quite happy with that measure?

I would be quite happy with that measure. I cannot give an undertaking that this would happen and that sufficient funds would be available for it.