Prescription Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (1124)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1124. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the impact on senior citizens that the new prescription charges are having which is causing hardship [1973/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment, the Government has committed to achieving additional savings in health expenditure with €781m of savings targeted in 2013. The increase in prescription charges will account for €51 million of this target. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible.