asked the Minister for Health the savings to the North-Western Health Board as a result of his decision to remove persons between the ages of 16 and 25 years, whose parents do not qualify for medical cards, from the general medical services scheme.

The general medical services scheme is funded largely by the General Medical Services (Payments) Board. The expenses of the board are provided for in subhead G.3. of the Health Estimate. The provision for such expenses in 1984 has been reduced to the extent of the estimated savings arising from the decision to withdraw medical cards from persons between the ages of 16 and 25 years who are dependants of persons who do not qualify for medical cards.

The overall savings resulting from implementation of this decision are estimated at £2 million for 1984 and £25 million in a full year of which about £170,000 might be associated with the North-Western Health Board area. As mentioned, however, the benefit has been reflected in the provision under subhead G.3. of the Health Estimate. Finally, I might make the point that the provision for the GMS in 1984 is £85.25 million and the provision, reflecting savings estimated at £2 million this year and £2.5 million in a full year, is included.

I appreciate that the Minister has given me more information than I sought. Would the Minister accept that the decision he took was wrong? I believe the Minister is big enough to rescind that decision — £170,000 to the North-Western Health Board and £2.5 million to the rest of the country — would he not rescind that decision then the people would applaud him? I do not believe this was the Minister's own decision but rather that of his Fine Gael partners in Government who insisted on this and that the Minister now, as a Labour Minister, should rescind that decision?

No. I have no intention of rescinding the decision.

Would the Minister tell us whether he met students and representatives of the students in this House on 27 October and if he gave them a commitment then that he would not withdraw medical cards from students?

I did not give any such commitment. I indicated at that time — it was pre-budget time — that the matter was under consideration; that was the indication.

8.