Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I regret that very much.

The decision made by the Government today is to restore discretionary medical cards that were withdrawn on review from July 2011 to May 2014. It will cost €13 million but will not be taken, as the Deputy put it, through a reduction in further front-line services. The Government decided today that this will be dealt with later.

It is also true that between July 2011 and May 2014 approximately 10,000 discretionary medical cardholders did not respond to or complete the review process. Neither did approximately 4,500 discretionary GP cardholders. I do not know the numbers at this stage who may qualify under that process. The Minister for Health has no objection at all to coming into the House to give details of the individual numbers if Deputy Adams wishes to put down a public notice question. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle may in time reflect on that.

The important point here is the Government has made a decision to restore those discretionary medical cards that were withdrawn on review from people. They should have those cards returned to them in the next four weeks.

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