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.

Prescription charges were introduced in the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010. On 1 November 2020, prescription charges under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were reduced as follows:

• To €1.00 per item for persons over 70, with a maximum monthly charge of €10.00.
• To €1.50 per item for persons under 70, with a maximum monthly charge of €15.00.

The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS threshold was reduced twice in 2022:

• From €114 to €100 per month on 1 January 2022.
• From €100 to €80 per month on 1 March 2022.

Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

While preparations in respect of Budget 2024 are ongoing, any health measures introduced will be in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and the funding available.