Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to deal with a number of issues specific to medical cards. As Deputies on the ground, we know a major issue for constituents is the discretionary medical card. Having read the material provided, it can be said about people with discretionary medical cards without fear of contradiction that they are seriously ill, as they would not have qualified for the discretionary medical card otherwise. In other words, these people got discretionary medical cards on medical grounds because of a serious illness. Based on the information provided, since the start of the year 45,000 medical cards have been withdrawn, and of those 10,400 were discretionary. Is that analysis correct? This is based on a publication provided by Dr. McLoughlin which gives the total number of medical cards. The review indicated 45,000 medical cards were withdrawn, with 9,981 not reviewed, 3,992 people deceased, 35,733 people who did not reply, and 5,803 cards which expired before the review was over. The period is January to September this year. On 1 January this year there were 63,136 discretionary medical cards in place and as of 1 October this year, there were 52,733. The reduction is in the order of 10,393, or 16%. The number of discretionary cards at the end of September comprised approximately 0.3% of overall medical cards. Is it correct that of the 45,000 medical cards which were withdrawn, 10,393 relate to discretionary cards?