Budget 2020 states the HSE will review arrangements for the provision of discretionary medical cards for those with a terminal illness and look at extending medical cards to them. Many of the people concerned and their families do not have time to wait for a review and are being stretched to their physical and mental limits. Worrying about paying medical bills should be the last thing on their minds. As they already have received devastating news about a terminal illness, will the Government provide them with a medical card? We are talking about a very small number of people, but this issue is important. The Minister would receive support across the House in making an announcement on the matter. Will he issue the medical cards as a matter of urgency?

I thank the Deputy for his intervention on this important point. As he knows, the number of discretionary medical cards issued is increasing month on month. The holders are persons whose incomes exceed the financial threshold but who qualify on medical grounds. I agree with the Deputy that we need to alter the rules for persons with a terminal illness. We provided for this in the budget, following the excellent advocacy on the issue by Mr. John Wall. The relevant review is under way by a clinical advisory group and due to conclude before the end of the year. I expect to be in a position at that stage to bring forward good news on the matter.