Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of abolishing prescription charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29344/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable and has introduced several reductions in the cost of healthcare.

On 1 November 2020, prescription charges under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were reduced as follows:

- For persons over 70, the charges were reduced to €1 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €10 per person or family per month.

- For persons under 70, the charges were reduced to €1.50 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €15 per person or family.

It is estimated that the minimum cost of abolishing prescription charges for all eligible persons would be approximately €60 million per annum.

This estimation is subject to the following caveats:

- That demographic changes may impact the number of eligible persons

- That the removal of prescription charges may result in a change in claimant behaviour.