Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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616. To ask the Minister for Health when the prescription charge will be reduced by 50 cent, as was promised from July 2020 in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16540/20]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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682. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to sign the statutory instrument required to reduce GMS prescription charges by 50c to €1.50 for all medical card holders as outlined in Budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16934/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 682 together.

As part of Budget 2020, the previous Government agreed that GMS prescription charges would be reduced by €0.50c for all medical card holders. Accordingly, the charge would be reduced by €0.50c to €1 per item for persons aged over 70 years, and by €0.50c to €1.50 for persons under 70. The maximum monthly charge would also be reduced to €10 and €15 respectively. The full year cost of implementing these measures is estimated at €25 million; a cost of €15 million for the over 70 cohort and €10 million for the under 70 cohort.

I am consulting with my government colleagues on these proposals.