Medical card holders face €50 charge

A €50 charge for medical cards and the closure of dozens of community nursing homes are among “nuclear options” being considered by Health Minister James Reilly ahead of the budget.

Dr Reilly warned Government TDs yesterday of a range of possible draconian cuts if he is forced to slash too much from the health budget on December 6.

According to TDs, the minister said that while cuts were inevitable, taking too much money out of the system too quickly would prove counterproductive.