Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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828. To ask the Minister for Health when the planned reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold will take place; the reason he has claimed that the achievement of this measure predicated on the achievement of corresponding savings in health in view of the fact it was announced in Budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25460/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2020 provided for a reduction in the monthly threshold of the Drugs Payment Scheme from €124 to €114. Although it was intended that this measure would be implemented from 1 September, funding of this Budget 2020 commitment was contingent on the realisation of certain savings within the health budget.

However, these savings have not been realised as the Pandemic has placed a significant demand on public finances, a substantial proportion of which has been allocated to the health system. In that context, decisions on the associated funding and a potential implementation date are being actively considered.