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Prescriptions Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024

Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Ceisteanna (387)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

387. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of reducing prescription charges to €0 in increments of €0.50 for people aged under 70 years and people aged 70 years and older. [30397/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Prescription charges were introduced in the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010. On 1 November 2020, prescription charges were reduced as follows:

• For those aged over 70, €1.00 per item with a maximum charge of €10 per month.

• For those aged under 70, €1.50 per item with a maximum charge of €15 per month.

The below table sets out the cost of reducing prescription charges to €0.00 in increments of €0.50 for people aged under 70 years and people aged 70 years and older.

Prescription charge level

€1.00

€0.50

€0.00

People aged 70 and over

-

€24.4m

€48.7m

People aged under 70

€15.3m

€23.2m

€46.5m

Total cost

€15.3m

€47.6m

€95.2m

These costings do not take account of changes in demographics or in eligibility (e.g., changes in the number of medical card holders). It also does not take account of how a reduction in prescription charges may impact claimant behaviour.

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