The Government is reviewing the eligibility of the elderly for medical cards, according to the Minister for Health. Mr Cowen told Mr Jim O'Keeffe (FG, Cork South West) he was not "unsympathetic" to giving free medical cards to those aged over 75 but he was "anxious" to get views of the chief executive officers of health boards "before decisions are taken".

Mr O'Keeffe said there were about 30,000 people over 75 years old and they could be given medical cards at a cost of about £7 million.

The Minister said that because of the pressing needs on the health services eligibility for medical cards was decided on income rather than age, but health board chief executives had discretion to award a card if they considered a person's needs justified it.

He said it was in the Government's programme and this was the first Government to consider the issue. Mr Cowen added that health board CEOs would be submitting reports shortly to the Department.