The head of the HSE will today be asked how many medical cards will be removed under last month's budget.

The Public Accounts Committee will be briefed on how many people might lose their medical cards as part of a review ordered in the Budget.

TDs will also examine the fall in the number of discretionary medical cards given to people who don't meet the usual income requirements.

Under last month's budget the HSE has to save €113 million through a review of every single medical card currently in circulation.

The plan involves investigating whether someone holding a medical card is still within the income limits to hold one - or whether they may have died or emigrated. Today the HSE's Director General Tony O'Brien will tell TDs at the Public Accounts Committee whether that's even possible - and if it is, how many cards would need to be removed as a result.

Mr O'Brien and the head of the Department of Health, Ambrose O'Loughlin, will also take questions on the discretionary medical card system.

The number of discretionary cards has fallen in recent years - and TDs will want to know whether it's because the HSE are denying cards to worthy recipients.