The Our Children's Health pressure group has said thousands seriously ill children will still be left without medical cards despite the Government's decision to return 15,000 cards over the coming weeks.

The Government said yesterday that 15,000 discretionary cards withdrawn following reviews since July 2011 would be returned.

Our Children's Health said while this was welcome, approximately 22,000 discretionary cards were withdrawn in this period.

"The remaining 7,000 refer to people who may not have engaged fully with the review process for whatever reason, due to the severity of an illness, stress etc."

The group said this would suggest it was inevitable that a substantial number of seriously ill children that had their cards withdrawn, would remain without a medical card.

It said while the the HSE has detailed a 'mercy' provision for such people, it was inappropriate for those that are seriously ill to have to plead their case.

"The onus should be on the HSE to identify such cases and make first contact."

Our Chidren's Health said there will be no temporary provision for those that are currently in the middle of their first application or those that will be diagnosed with a serious illness over the coming months.

"These parents are trapped under the terms of the existing system and it seems will remain so."

"We are again appealing to both Minister Reilly and the HSE to introduce temporary measures that will immediately improve the application process for new applicants and accommodate those children living with serious illness or congenital conditions," Our Children's Health said.