Medical cards restored after year of denials

More than 15,000 people will have discretionary medical cards restored following a humiliating climbdown by the Government which admitted it could "not stand over" withdrawals which it denied had been taking place for more than a year.

Patients with lifelong illnesses and children with severe disabilities who have suffered hardship as a result of losing their cards, will be contacted over the next four weeks about the reinstatement of the vital assistance.

However, families will not be compensated for the financial loss incurred as a result of paying for GP visits, medications, appliances, and therapies.