Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Since 2011, some 22,584 individuals who were previously recorded on the medical card register as having been eligible for a discretionary medical card are now registered as medical card holders in their own right as they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Health Service Executive can only award medical cards in accordance with the Health Act, which requires that applicants be assessed. This is the subject of the discussion on a motion tabled by Deputy Martin's party in Private Members' time. There has been no change in the manner in which discretionary medical cards are awarded.

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