Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask for a full explanation as to how a discretionary medical card is issued. In our region in the west, they are only given with financial exceptions but it now seems they are being given on medical exceptions as well. Could we have a full explanation of how a medical card is assessed and particularly how a discretionary medical card is assessed?

There is a question regarding subhead C1 and a proposal that has been put to the Minister in the past. A Minister of State, Deputy White, is examining the matter, which is the establishment of a national home care budget for children with a life limiting condition. Each primary, community and continuing care body does this and taking children out of hospice or hospital beds would save two thirds of the budget and be far more effective. If we have a national fund, it could be better spent by using the same amount of money and giving better quality of delivery. Has any progress been made in that regard?