Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:261. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of providing free prescriptions for all citizens. [45502/13]
View answerThursday, 24 October 2013
Questions (261, 263, 264)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:263. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current cost to the State of providing free general practitioner care for those with medical cards. [45504/13]
View answerCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:264. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current cost to the State of providing prescriptions for those with medical cards. [45505/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 263 and 264 together.
In 2012 payments to GPs for services provided to medical card and GP visit cardholders was approximately €440 million. The cost of drugs and medicines is estimated at just over €1.3 billion. It is not possible to estimate the cost of providing free drugs and medicines to all citizens.