Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

These measures will yield savings of €323 million next year. To contain the growth in the cost of medical cards under the primary care reimbursement service, we are increasing the prescription charge for medical card holders. This charge is being increased from 50 cent to €1.50 per item and the monthly cap for a family is being increased by €10 to €19.50. The increased co-payment for drugs will help make funding more sustainable. The drug payment scheme threshold is being increased from €132 to €144 per month and will save an additional €10 million. Professional fees for health service providers, such as GPs and community pharmacists, will be reduced to save €70 million.

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