Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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782. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing additional measures to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of essential medications for infants, including for common conditions such as reflux, particularly in cases where newborns may not yet have a PPS number and are not fully covered under the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31984/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. A pharmaceutical company can apply to the HSE for reimbursement for a specific indication (use) of a specific licensed medicine. Medicines can have more than one licensed (market authorised) indication and each indication represents a separate application. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the 2013 Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. Possession of a medical card entitles people to access prescribed medicines subject to the payment of a small prescription charge. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.

In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment.

In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.

Under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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783. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 27 May 2025, if she will confirm whether the HSE intends to continue the expansion of social prescribing services, including into areas of Dublin that do not currently have access to such services, particularly in the Killester, Clontarf-Raheny area, given the importance and impact of the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31985/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.