Updated 12.30

A senior HSE director is insisting the Executive did not ask for proof that a child still had Down Syndrome, in the course of a medical card review.

It follows claims that a Mother faced the query about her young son, as part of a controversial process suspended last week.

The Down Syndrome Ireland group has hit out at the HSE for denying the incident happened.

National Director of Primary Care with the HSE John Hennessy told Newstalk's Breakfast he does not want to be in dispute with the group - but they have examined communications:

In all, Mr. Hennessy said about 30,000 discretionary medical cards were removed during a review.

The HSE says it is not able to say if those who lost their discretionary cards during reviews will be get them back. However, they have cautioned that it is very difficult to restore a card that has been removed.

Breakfast presenter Ivan Yates put it to the HSE spokesperson that the situation is a mess: 

Mr. Hennessy also said he was unable to say how much the process of stopping the review of medical cards will cost, but insisted health is on target to save €23m, as outlined by government.

Some means testing dropped

Meanwhile, a public consultation is getting underway on which medical needs should see someone qualify automatically for a medical card.

Patients, representative groups and the wider public are being invited to have their say.

And, the Irish Cancer Society will meet with the Health Minister Dr. James Reilly and officials from the Department of Health today to discuss discretionary medical cards.

Yesterday, the HSE appointed an expert panel to recommend the range of medical conditions that should be considered when determining eligibility.

Ministerial woes

Earier, Political correspondent with the Irish Times, Fiach Kelly, told the show there is actually some sympathy for Health Minister James Reilly after he this week described a lack of political will to resolve the issue of medical cards ahead of recent elections: