Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here. My Commencement matter arises from work I have done with Councillor Ben Ward in Tullow, County Carlow. I have also worked with Senators Garret Ahearn, Maria Byrne, Garret Kelleher and P. J. Murphy on this issue. We are making a clear request for a reduction in the maximum payment under the drugs payment scheme, DPS, from €80 to €60 in budget 2027. I know that budgets are finite, but there is a commitment in the programme for Government to explore a reduction in the maximum payment. The people affected are in difficult medical situations and perhaps have long-term illnesses. In a time when the cost of living is high, we need to try to take away some of the pain of essential costs, such as medical bills.

Councillor Ward has written to the Tánaiste and Taoiseach about this matter, on which he is a very passionate advocate on behalf of many constituents in his area who have felt the pressure of the cost of living. The proposal is budgeted to cost approximately €45 million out of a €27 billion budget for health. I would welcome it being given consideration. There are demands across all Departments but, as I said, this would help vulnerable people. Spending on essential life-saving medication is not discretionary. The proposed reduction would ease the burden on people who are under pressure and have a profound positive impact. I would welcome if the Minister gave it consideration.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Duffy for raising this important issue on behalf of the people he represents in County Mayo. I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. In line with the commitments set out in the programme for Government, this Government will continue to prioritise improving the affordability of healthcare and medicines. This work will continue over the lifetime of this Government.

As the Senator is aware, the drugs payment scheme ensures that expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances does not exceed a named threshold in a particular calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. Currently, the DPS threshold is €80, meaning that no individual or family pays more than €80 a month on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines, with the State covering the complete cost of medicines, which can cost many thousands of euro once the monthly household cost is above the €80 threshold. Consideration of further changes to the DPS threshold, including the proposal to reduce it to €60, will be made in the context of current healthcare priorities and the budget available.

It is important to note that any significant reduction in the DPS threshold, as proposed by the Senator, would have cost implications for the State and could, therefore, place additional pressures on other areas of the health service. The Senator estimated that the measure could cost around €45 million. In that context, any adjustment to the threshold will need to be carefully considered, taking account of the finite resources available.

As the Senator is aware, the DPS forms part of a wider range of measures to support affordable access to healthcare and medicines. These measures include community drug schemes, expanded access to free GP care and the abolishment of public inpatient hospital charges for children and adults, all of which continue to support affordable access to quality healthcare.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services scheme. In accordance with the Health Act 1970, as amended, eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.

The Senator mentioned a number of families he is dealing with who have difficult medical situations and long-term illnesses. I assure them that, in certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion to grant a medical card where an applicant exceeds the income guidelines but faces difficult financial circumstances, such as additional costs arising from illness. Where an applicant does not qualify for a medical card, they can also be assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles them to free GP services. Individuals may also be eligible to claim tax relief at 20% on qualifying medical expenses, including prescribed medicines. I hope the Senator will agree that the HSE, the Minister and the Department of Health are investing heavily in making medicines more affordable and accessible for our population across the country, including in Mayo.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. The improvements and advancements in health outcomes in Ireland have been incredible. I know we give the HSE and the health service a fair bashing at times, but the advancements and improvements, including improved access to healthcare for the whole population, have been incredibly pronounced. That being said, in a cost-of-living crisis, consideration should be given in the next budget to further reducing the maximum payment. I ask for further engagement with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to try to relieve the burden of these costs, which are, as I said, non-discretionary. They are life-saving and critical to those who pay in and need them.

I acknowledge the work of Councillor Ben Ward in County Carlow. He is very passionate about this matter on behalf of members of his community who have approached him. I see this in my home county of Mayo where people who are under pressure come into my office every week. There are good supports available through community welfare officers and Intreo offices, but a broad relief like the one proposed would have a very positive impact. I thank the Minister of State for considering this matter this morning.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to Councillor Ben Ward who, as the Senator said, has been an advocate for this, not just in Carlow but at a national level. I will bring the Senator's feedback and his constructive idea to the attention of the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance. It is important that it is discussed in the context of upcoming budgetary negotiations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank healthcare workers across the country who deliver exceptional care to the population when they need it the very most. The Minister fully appreciates the importance of improving both affordability and accessibility to healthcare and medicines by patients in Ireland. As noted earlier, we have a brand new suite of measures to support this approach, helping to ensure affordable to quality healthcare and social care services while operating within budgetary constraints. Any adjustment to these measures, including the lowering of the drugs payment scheme, as has been proposed, needs to be carefully considered taking into account the finite resources available and the potential impact on wider healthcare service provision.

The State has heavily invested in medicines. State expenditure on medicines has grown substantially since 2021. It now accounts for almost €1 in every €8 of public health spending. Budget 2026 allocated €217 million in additional funding for medicines, and €30 million of this is available for new drugs funding. It should be noted that the year 1 cost of a new drug comes from the allocation for new medicines but once these medicines are approved for reimbursement the full cost of providing them can reach multiples of this initial cost as their uptake increases. That is the budgetary constraints within which we operate

Ireland is among the highest spenders on health across the EU, according to the OECD and has the third highest rate of State coverage of pharmaceutical expenditure in Europe. That is down to a lot of our healthcare workers and, indeed, pharmacists who deliver a fantastic service to the population. I thank them and I thank the Senator for raising this issue.