Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when her review of eligibility for medical cards will be completed; if it will be published when completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32172/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Eligibility Review Team was established in my Department in 2005, to begin working on a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility for health and personal social services. As part of this work the Department is reviewing the eligibility criteria for the assessment of medical cards in the context of financial, medical and social need in line with the commitment in Towards 2016 to clarify entitlement to a medical card. A Steering Group has been established to carry out this work and is expected to report to me within the next few months. The purpose of the review is to inform the decision-making process in relation to medical card eligibility and it is not my intention to publish the report.