Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The determination of the basis for the awarding of medical cards on medical grounds, as opposed to means grounds, which has been the case since 1970, will be dealt with absolutely comprehensively through the expert panel. If we are to determine a basis for awarding a medical card where a person has a medical condition or an illness then there must be some basis for determining what that will be and what the grounds will be. The Government has correctly commenced its consideration of the matter by putting together an expert panel of medical professionals. These are people who work in medicine - clinicians who are in a position to list conditions and make an assessment of conditions and illnesses appropriate for access to services under the scheme. That is the job this panel will have to undertake.

I agree with Deputy Moynihan that this should be resolved as quickly as possible. However, there is no use in saying the legislation should be before the House as soon as possible unless the Deputy can suggest to me or unless someone has a view on what the legislation should contain. We want to get the legislation correct and we must decide the criteria for the awarding of what one might term medical medical cards.

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