Mulherin receives confirmation on extension of discretionary medical cards

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has welcomed confirmation she has received that the temporary reinstatement of discretionary cards will be extended by a further 12 months, until the end of July 2016. This relates to discretionary medical card holders whose cards were lost between July 2011 and May 2014 and whose cards were subsequently re-issued until 31st July 2015. Deputy Mulherin received the confirmation from Minister of State at the Department of Health, Kathleen Lynch in response to a parliamentary question she tabled on the matter.

“A significant number of discretionary medical card holders lost their cards between July 2011 and May 2014. Many of these have been reinstated up to 31st July 2015. Thankfully, Minister Lynch has confirmed to me that the temporary reinstatement of these discretionary cards should be extended by a further 12 months, up to the end of July 2016. This will be welcome news to the many individuals who depend on these cards and their families many of whom in Mayo I have dealt with and provided assistance to first hand.
 
“Minister Lynch has confirmed to me that persons with a serious medical condition or disability, who had the renewal of their discretionary card refused by the HSE, having completed an eligibility review during the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014, had their cards reissued to July 2015. These people have now had their cards extended until July 2016.”

ENDS