Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020
198. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the threshold for the drugs payment scheme will be changed from €124 to €114 per month as promised in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25798/20]
View answerBudget 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.
