Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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143. To ask the Minister for Health if persons with spinal cord injury will be included on the list of disabilities that qualify a person for the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Health if medical card will be restored on medical grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24919/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 158 together.

The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility and has been asked to make an early report to Government.

In this context, the HSE has decided to suspend reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.

The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.