Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
681. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €45 million announced in Budget 2022 for affordability will be allocated; the sub-allocation to measures within this new measures grouping in tabular form; the amount remaining unallocated; the amount which relates to other new measures funding group commitments; if this is included as a whole or pro-rata; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57508/21]
View answerThe €45 million allocated in the budget for affordability measures is intended to cover a number of initiatives in relation to oral health, the reduction in the threshold for the Drug payment scheme, the expansion of GP care without charges to 6 and 7 year old children and the reduction in hospital charges for children. I am confident that this amount will be sufficient to deliver these initiatives, but their delivery will require discussion with representative bodies in relation to contractual matters, including relevant fees, and for that reason it is not possible to provide a break-down of costs in tabular form at this time.
