Hopes rise that medical cards could be returned

Hope was rising last night that some of the people who had medical cards snatched away over the past 18 months could see them returned after the Cabinet discussed the "difficulty" caused by the controversy.

Ministers failed to reach agreement on the matter, but plan to continue to look at the highly charged situation, a Government spokesperson said.

However, a number of families who are currently appealing their medical rejections were last night told by HSE via text that their cards were being approved.