Kenny defends medical card cuts

The drive to cut back medical card use has been defended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny because only 22 people have voluntarily given up free healthcare due to changes in circumstances.

Mr Kenny was responding to complaints from Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams that the new HSE Service Plan punished the sick and the vulnerable.

Mr Kenny said the U-turn on cutting €113m from medical card provision had occurred because Health Minister James Reilly realised that figure was “not achievable”.