Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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375. To ask the Minister for Health the financial exemptions available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16848/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Medical card holders are entitled to a range of health services free of charge. These services include:

- a range of family doctor or GP services from a local doctor;

- the supply of prescribed approved medicines, subject to a prescription charge;

- certain medical aids and appliances;

- all in-patient services in public wards in public hospitals, including public consultant services;

- all out-patient services in public hospitals, including public consultant services;

- certain Dental, Ophthalmic, and Aural health services;

- some personal and social care services; for example, public health nursing, social work services and other community care services based on client need.

Medical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists under the General Medical Services scheme. This charge is subject to a monthly cap of €25 for each person or family.

The prescription charge is a matter which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the Health commitments in the Programme for Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.