The Government has said people who have recently had their discretionary medical cards removed will have them restored.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan indicated today that people who had cards removed would be getting their medical cards back.

The HSE has previously said there was currently no legal basis restore discretionary medical cards to people who may have lost them under the now abandoned review process.

Patient pressure groups had been pressing for these cards to be restored.

The Government last week instructed the HSE to suspend the controversial review process for discretionary cards and said those who were currently undergoing a discretionary card review would not have their cards removed or downgraded.

The HSE said today process of extending eligibility for those who had been undergoing a review or appeal has commenced.

The new basis for discretionary medical card eligibility promised by the Government will for the first time take a person's medical condition, rather than their financial means, into account when they are applying for a card.

Patient support groups had pointed out that it could take some time for the new medical condition-based eligibility process to kick in and for previously removed cards to be restored.

The HSE said today that identifying the appropriate legal and legislative measures required to provide medical card eligibility on the basis of medical need will be undertaken as part of the review of the legislative framework, supported by the work of the expert panel currently being established by the HSE.

Govt caves in on medical card debacle