Fianna Fail has described last week's Budget health measures as a 'brutal betrayal of older people'.

The Dáil is to debate a Fianna Fáil motion tonight on services for older people which are being cut by the in the Budget, according to Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher.

Deputy Kelleher claimed Fine Gael and Labour have singled out pensioners for significant cuts next year.

"The dramatic cut in the medical card eligibility means that an estimated 35,000 older people will lose their full medical cards while an additional 100,000 medical cards are set to be taken away from people with serious medical conditions."

Deputy Kelleher said the €666 million cuts in the health budget next year will cause severe damage to the stability of the health service and undermine service delivery across the board.

"All of this stems from Minister Reilly's dysfunctional leadership of the health service. Our motion before the Dáil today calls on TDs to protect services for older people to allow them to live independently and with dignity."