asked the Minister for Health the number of new medical cards issued in South Tipperary since 1 December 1982.

14.

asked the Minister for Health the number of new medical cards issued in the South Eastern Health Board region since 1 December 1982.

15.

asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards withdrawn in South Tipperary since 1 December 1982.

16.

asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards withdrawn in the South Eastern Health Board region since 1 December 1982.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive, together. As part of the ongoing review of entitlement to the general medical service, the number of medical cards issued in the South Tipperary area since 1 December 1982 is 1,130. The number issued in the South-Eastern Health Board region for the same period is 5,566. The number of medical cards withdrawn since 1 December 1982 in the region is 3,011 of which 764 were in South Tipperary.

Is the Minister aware that there appears to be a pretty concerted and well organised campaign through South Tipperary and in the South Eastern Health Board area — the figures he has given bear this out — to withdraw medical cards from all and sundry? Is this being done on the specific instructions of his Department or is it the health board going on its merry way?

I assure the Deputy that I did not issue any specific instructions. Any married couple with £77 a week, as the Deputy knows, has eligibility. In addition, the allowance for a child under 16 is £8.50 and the allowance for other dependants in addition to the £77 is £10. In relation to outgoings on the house anything over £8.50 is allowed. Likewise, in South Tipperary, reasonable expenses incurred in travelling to and from work together with heavy medical expenses are allowed. By and large, there is substantial cover in relation to medical cards. I have not issued any special instructions.

Surely the figures speak for themselves when 2,000 medical cards have been withdrawn in South Tipperary since the Minister took over his Department. Is there any specific reason for this? Is it because certain categories of people who held cards before are now excluded?

The Deputy should look at the figures. The number issued in the South Eastern Health Board region was 5,566 and the number withdrawn was 3,111, so there is not a remarkable disparity there.

The Minister said 1,030 cards were issued in South Tipperary and 3,011 were withdrawn.

I will give the answer again. As part of the ongoing review of entitlement to the general medical service the number of medical cards issued in the South Tipperary area since 1 December 1982 is 1,130. The number of medical cards withdrawn was 764. People's entitlement varied.