Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Sticking to the point that is of particular concern to people today, that is the background I wish to mention. The fact is we are dealing with that situation comprehensively, providing for savings to be obtained by reason of the fact there will be people who will not be entitled to the card as they are over those eligibility limits on 1 January. That will provide a saving.

From next week there will be an agreed common single capitation rate for those over 70s on the medical card scheme, which will provide savings. Of course, the committee, chaired by the person we have obtained, for the purpose of dealing with drug usage will provide the significant and substantial savings which we believe, on the basis of consultation with GP representative bodies, are available given that total drug spend at the moment is approximately €1.95 billion. That has almost doubled since 2003.

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