Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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853. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of capping prescription charges at €20 per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10345/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE estimates that to cap prescription charges at €20 per month would cost approximately €11 million per annum. This assumes that the charge per item remains at €2.50 and that the number of items dispensed per person per month remains at current levels.

This is a matter which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures. Detailed financial analysis will be required in order to establish as accurately as possible the expected costs to the Exchequer.