answers: 1953
context: Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland Health care in Ireland is two-tier: public and private sectors exist. The public health care system is governed by the Health Act 2004, which established a new body to be responsible for providing health and personal social services to everyone living in Ireland – the Health Service Executive. The new national health service came into being officially on 1 January 2005; however the new structures are currently in the process of being established as the reform programme continues. In addition to the public-sector, there is also a large private healthcare market. In 2010 Ireland </s> five years in 2002. There are cases where essential care is needed urgently but not made available by the HSE under their NTPF, and contrary to relevant judgements by the European Court of Justice. HSE figures quoted in April 2012 show that at least 178,000 people in Ireland were on waiting lists to see specialists at an outpatient clinic, and that more than 300 patients had been waiting for over four years to be seen by a consultant after being referred by their GP. Health centres provide a wide range of primary care and community services in towns and villages </s> and are entitled to a range of other benefits. Holders, or children dependent on holders, are also exempt from paying State Examination fees, including the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate (Ireland). A GP visit card is available to people earning up to 50% above the income limit. As the name suggests, it grants free visits to GPs, but does not include any of the other benefits. Medical cards were introduced by Part III of the Health Act 1953, passed by the then Fianna Fáil government after the failure of the previous inter-party government's somewhat more ambitious Mother and Child Scheme.
question: when was the medical card introduced in ireland