56,000 pensioners throughout Ireland, who have been expecting to become eligible for a medical card this year, will now not receive that benefit.
The promise to increase the income threshold for medical cards for those aged over 70 was made in last year’s budget, and legislation to allow it to take effect was passed at the end of July.
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However, the government says the move was contingent on savings being found in the Department of Health, and these won’t be found after the year of COVID-19.
Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, who has raised this issue in the Seanad, says thousands of people were counting on receiving the medical cards.
