Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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633. To ask the Minister for Health the situation in relation to the restoration of discretionary medical cards for cancer patients; if this development will result in all cancer patients receiving discretionary medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25358/14]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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649. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25417/14]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health if an appeal will be considered under the discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25492/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 633, 649 and 659 together.

The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of ongoing medical conditions. The HSE has established an expert panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as part of this process and has been asked to make an early report to Government.

In this context, the HSE has suspended 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.