Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

It is not appropriate that HIQA be involved in the administration of the medical card scheme. I will repeat what the Minister, Deputy Harney, said on this issue. She said she wanted to make the position in relation to discretionary medical cards to the terminally ill very clear. She said that terminally ill patients will not be affected by any cap on the issue of discretionary medical cards and that the Department will monitor the situation to ensure this is the case.

Determination of eligibility for medical cards under both the new arrangements and section 45(1) of the principal Act is a matter for — as it has been — the HSE. Furthermore, a statutory appeals process exists for people who wish to avail of it. Therefore, I do not propose to accept this amendment.