Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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606. To ask the Minister for Health when the clinical advisory group on medical cards will report its final recommendations to him; and when the interim report which was given to the Minster for Health last summer will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21239/16]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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607. To ask the Minister for Health if, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government, he has requested the clinical advisory group on medical cards to examine the guidelines for awarding discretionary medical cards for persons undergoing treatment for cancer; and when he expects this review to be complete [21240/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together.

On foot of the report by the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility,the HSE established the Clinical Advisory Group and requested that it develop clinical oversight and guidance for the operation of a more compassionate and trusted medical card system. The Director General of the HSE, on accepting an interim recommendation of the Group, made a decision to award medical card eligibility to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer from 1 July 2015, with the card to be held for a period of five years.

The Clinical Advisory Group is continuing its work on the development of guidance on assessing medical card applications involving significant medical conditions. It is envisaged that the final report will be submitted to the Director General of the HSE shortly. It will be a matter for the HSE to consider, when the CAG completes its work, the publication of its conclusions.