Reilly vows elderly will be cared for

Health Minister James Reilly has promised elderly people will be protected and no person entitled to a medical card will lose it as a result of the “probity” review of card holders.

His comments came as opposition TDs criticised what they deemed were “sneaky” cuts that would hit the elderly during a Dáil debate on pensioners.

The Fianna Fáil motion called on the Government to maintain public services for older citizens in a fair and progressive manner. The Coalition agreed to let the motion pass last night.