Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
668. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the reduction in the drugs payment scheme is going ahead in September 2020 as announced in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23390/20]
View answer805. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the changes under budget 2020 to reduce the maximum expenditure of €124 on prescription drugs will be reduced to €114 in view of the fact that this reduction was to come into effect on 1 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24062/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 805 together.
Budget 2020 provided for a reduction in the monthly threshold of the Drugs Payment Scheme from €124 to €114. Although it was intended that this measure would be implemented from 1 September, funding of this Budget 2020 commitment was contingent on the realisation of certain savings within the health budget.
However, these savings have not been realised as the Pandemic has placed a significant demand on public finances, a substantial proportion of which has been allocated to the health system. In that context, decisions on the associated funding and a potential implementation date are being actively considered.
