Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
478. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of abolishing all prescription charges for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28833/24]
View answerPrescription 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 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 estimated full year cost of abolishing all prescription charges is €95.2m.
This costing does not take account of changes in demographics or in eligibility numbers (i.e., changes in the number of medical card holders). It also does not take account of how the abolition of prescription charges may impact on claimant behaviour.
