The card will be given to women who have accepted a formal offer of compensation under the Restorative Justice Scheme.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and Social Care Minister Kathleen Lynch said the "RWRCI Cards" will issue to the women in June and take effect from July 1.

It will entitle them to GP services, prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, home nursing, home support, chiropody or podiatr, physiotherapy and counselling.

"Just over 500 women, 512 women, already accepted the award," Minister Lynch told RTE's Morning Ireland.

"All of those people will have the right to get medical cards, plus any woman out there who haven't already applied, the door is not shut, there is no cut-off date," she continued.

"If they're out there and willing to accept what's on offer, the medical card will be available for them."

Minister Lynch, who has special responsibility for disability, mental health and older people, said the medical cards will entitle women to 'additional services'.

"There are additional pieces that can be gathered by this medical card which is different from normal medical cards," she said.

Minister Lynch added: "There are few enough of these surviving woman in Ireland that it is possible to deal with them on an individual basis."