Children under 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer are to be issued with medical cards for five years.

Minister for Primary Care, Kathleen Lynch, says it's a key recommendation of the Clinical Advisory Group which was set up to look at medical card eligibility.

Any child under the age of 18 who has had a diagnosis in the past 5 years will also be awarded a medical card for five years.

The change will come into effect from tomorrow.