Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 19 February 2014, if the number of medical cards granted on the basis of the exercise of discretion increased by 27,415 between the 1 January 2014 and 1 February 2014; the reason the trend in place for the past two years has been reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The figure of 77,709 in my response to question No. 223 of 19th February referred to the number of persons holding eligibility for both medical cards and GP visit cards on the basis of the exercise of discretion. The medical card related figure is 50,505 and the respective GP visit card 27,204. The Deputy will note there is very little change between the 1st January and 1st February medical cards held following the exercise of discretion, i.e. 280.