Call to end HSE means test powers

The HSE should no longer have responsibility for overseeing medical card means tests, the final version of the Government’s report into the crisis-hit service is set to claim.

Fresh details of the document emerged last night as a spokesperson for Health Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed the report will go before the Cabinet’s health sub-committee on Monday — the second last step before publication.

Despite a year of pressure to overhaul the medical card system, at the start of this month it emerged the 23-strong independent expert panel which drew up the report will recommend personal finances should remain the key decider in card applications.