Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
313. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is sustainable to charge persons that attend a drug service (details supplied) for prescriptions received at the centre; his views on whether the policy mitigates against persons that have no money to achieve drug rehabilitation; and his plans to change the policy. [2356/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2019 provided for a significant increase in health funding which will assist families with the cost of doctor visits and medicines.
Homeless people in receipt of a medical card can access GP services and get prescribed drugs and medicines. However, as with all holders of a medical card, they are obliged to pay a prescription charge of €2 per item, up to a maximum of €20 per month. These charges can represent a greater financial burden for homeless people in emergency accommodation or who are sleeping rough.
The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, is developing administrative measures that would allow this cohort of the homeless population to be supplied with prescribed drugs and medicines without having to pay the prescription charge.
I welcome the measures to reduce the costs of GP services and drugs for vulnerable groups. I believe it is unfair that homeless people must pay prescription charges and welcome the intention to end these charges in the coming months.
