Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the estimated sum to be raised by the trebling of prescription charges for medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57004/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason, in view of earlier statements he made, he has tripled rather than abolished prescription charges [57056/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 58 together.

Due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment the Government has committed to achieving additional savings in health expenditure during 2013 and 2014 with €781m savings targeted in 2013. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible. Reductions in the cost of Primary Care Schemes will contribute €323m towards this overall savings target, and the increase in prescription charges will account for €51 million of this target.