Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
641. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to increase the prescription charge for persons on the State pension who are holders of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6808/14]
View answerAs announced in Budget 2014, it has become necessary to increase the prescription charge due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €666 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 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.
Medical card holders are required to pay a €2.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. These new rates are effective from 1 December 2013.
