A full government u-turn over the issue of medical cards has been confirmed by a senior Cabinet minister.

Michael Noonan says the Minister for Health is looking at ways to give back medical cards, which were removed under a Health Service Executive (HSE) review.

However the HSE insists it is still illegal to return discretionary medical cards that were revoked.

The Minister for Finance says the government is actively considering returning the medical cards. Michael Noonan says the Minister for Health, James Reilly, is looking into the options available to him.

It is understood that those who were mid-review or were appealing the removal of their cards are now being told that they continue to have a card. 

He says the government hopes to give back cards to sick people who had them taken away.

 Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said earlier that the HSE would examine whether cards should be restored, and issued in the future, on medical grounds rather than by means testing.

The issue of reissuing revoked medical cards was discussed at the Cabinet meeting yesterday after the review process was brought to a halt last week and the Taoiseach pledged to "fix" the debacle.

The Cabinet Health Sub-Committee will discuss the issue further in the coming weeks.

Leo Varadkar said the next steps towards returning the medical cards will be seen in the coming weeks.

Annette Kinney's son Alex suffers from Mowat Wilson Syndrome. The genetic condition affects many parts of the body, including distinctive facial features, intellectual disability, delayed development and an intestinal disorder called Hirschsprung disease.

Annette says is delighted after being told he is getting his card back.