Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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1249. To ask the Minister for Health the basis on which a saving of €11 million was estimated arising from the Budget 2014 decision to revoke medical cards awarded on the basis of returning to work having been long-term unemployed; his estimate of the number of medical cards that will be revoked as a result of this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47104/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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As part of Budget 2014, the Government decided to change the rules, whereby persons who have been unemployed for 12 months retain their medical card for three years on returning to work. In this case, the medical card is retained by the person, and his or her dependents, for the three years irrespective of their means or income. The savings are based on an estimate of the number of persons expected to leave the Live Register in 2014 that would fall within this category.