Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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804. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical cards returned to persons following the suspension of medical card reviews; the number of medical cards projected to be returned; the time-frame for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33112/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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929. To ask the Minister for Health the timescale under which all discretionary medical cards, withdrawn under the recent review, will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33531/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 804 and 929 together.

The Government decision announced in June 2014, enabled the HSE to make the necessary arrangements to return medical cards and GP visit cards to those with a lifelong medical condition, acute illness, or disability, who had been granted a card on a discretionary basis, and who lost their card following a review, since July 2011.The HSE has now completed the exercise,and eligibility has been restored to 11,383 people in accordance with the Government decision. Final quality assurance tasks are in progress and enquiries can be made by calling 1890 252 919 - Monday to Friday - 8am to 8pm.

At the time of the Government decision it was estimated that up to 15,305 people could have their cards restored. As the files have been reviewed in recent weeks it has become clear that some individuals included in the original estimate are no longer ill, some have had cards restored to one member of the family (as opposed to the entire family) and some have passed away.