Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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703. To ask the Minister for Health if the drugs payment scheme threshold will be protected, or preferably reduced, in recognition of the many citizens with long-term but manageable illnesses who are ineligible for medical cards and rely on the drugs payment scheme to help meet the costs associated with health care [32286/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.

There are no plans to alter the Drug Payment Scheme threshold.