Hoctor to face questions on over-70s medical cards

Junior Minister Maire Hoctor is set to face questions about the over-70s medical card scheme at a meeting of older people in Dublin today.

Ms Hoctor, the Minister of State with responsibility for Older People, is due to attend a meeting of around 300 delegates from Active Retirement Ireland.

She is expected to be questioned about whether the cost of administering the planned means test for over-70s medical cards will wipe out the potential savings resulting from the move.

The Government is planning to remove the automatic medical-card entitlement from the wealthiest 5% of over-70s as part of Budget cutbacks.