Health Minister Leo Varadkar has responded to comments by a former junior health minister in relation to his position on medical cards.

Independent TD Roisin Shortall, who served under Mr Varadkar's predecessor James Reilly, told Newstalk Breakfast earlier she was concerned by the delay by Mr Varadkar in setting out his plans for medical cards.

In a statement to Newstalk, the Department of Health has said "Minister Varadkar made his position clear in mid-July saying that no decision on medical cards will be taken until the Expert Panel makes its recommendations. The Minister awaits the outcome of their deliberations before any making any further comment."

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said last month that over two-thirds of people who lost their discretionary medical cards in a controversial review had them returned.

It told the Oireachtas Health Committee that around 15,000 people received their cards back after the review.

But Ms Shortall said no clarity had yet been given on the government plans for a new system, which will give people medical cards based on medical need.

More details about the scheme are due to be released by the HSE expert panel next month.

Ms Shortall had told Newstalk Breakfast that Mr Varadkar should make his position on medical cards clear immediately.