Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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129. To ask the Minister for Health if he will describe the precise, detailed process by which discretionary medical cards are selected for review; if the process is entirely randomised or if it is systematic; if the latter, if he will fully describe the way this system is followed and the way medical card holders are protected from undue audit and examination that may exacerbate an existing condition and is not likely to result in a change of circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14900/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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All medical cards, including those granted on a discretionary basis, are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility. Cards are selected for review in advance of the expiration of their eligibility period, i.e. when the "valid to" date on the card is approaching. In addition, cards are selected on a random basis, where the HSE carries out, on an on-going basis, audits of eligibility to ensure that the medical card register is as accurate as possible and that its voted budget is being spent appropriately in the medical card scheme.