Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Medical Card Crisis

"Taking medical cards from sick children is not acceptable" - Michael Noonan

The Finance Minister said seven per cent of people lost their cards after a review.

THE FINANCE MINISTER says that just seven per cent of people lost their discretionary medical cards following a review of the system.

Taking Leaders’ Questions today, Michael Noonan said that the government wanted to assure that sick children had medical cover, but could not rule out further examination.

He said that any system that costs €2 billion had to be monitored, saying that the government had reined in public spending using such reviews.

He added that 42% of Irish people avail of medical cards and this system had to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

“I think it’s reasonable that people want a system that is sensitive to families.

Taking medical cards from sick children is not acceptable and Ministers White and Reilly will look into the this.

Noonan said that over 77,925 people were on discretionary medical cards on 1 March 2013 and by the same date this year, 33% still held a discretionary card, 49% were still on their cards after means test and 19% no longer have them – 3 per cent of those having died.

Noonan said that there was no legislation impending to ensure that ill children are guaranteed a medical card, but said that Fianna Fáil’s Micheal Martin should not be “sanctimonious” on the issue.

“The government does not agree with taking cards but the policy will not change overnight.”

Read: ‘They may not have a voice, but they certainly have an army of supporters’ CEO of Jack and Jill

Your Voice
Readers Comments
67
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.