Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2017
206. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the 50 cent prescription charge reduction for medical card holders over 70 years of age to the entire general medical scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25264/17]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacies under the General Medical Services scheme. This charge is subject to a monthly cap of €25 for each person or family.
Under Budget 2017, I announced a reduction in the charge to €2, subject to a monthly cap of €20, for medical card holders aged 70 and over and their dependants. This reduced charge took effect from 1 March 2017.
Any future change to the prescription charge is a matter which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and having regard to the funding available.
