Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1032. To ask the Minister for Health if the 50 cent reduction for medication and prescriptions charges has been delayed; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18855/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.