Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of abolishing the prescription charge on a phased basis over five years, beginning in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25263/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend the 50 cent prescription charge reduction for medical card holders over 70 years of age to the entire general medical scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25264/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 pharmacies under the General Medical Services scheme. This charge is subject to a monthly cap of €25 for each person or family.

Under Budget 2017, I announced a reduction in the charge to €2, subject to a monthly cap of €20, for medical card holders aged 70 and over and their dependants. This reduced charge took effect from 1 March 2017.

Any future change to 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.