Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1696. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider fully subsidising maintenance and reliever therapy inhalers, recognised as the new gold standard in asthma treatment, on a phased basis to improve adherence, reduce hospitalisations, and support better outcomes for people living with asthma; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58082/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. There are asthma inhalers on the HSE's reimbursement list. Patients can access these subject to their eligibility status.

The Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e., full eligibility (medical cards) and limited eligibility.

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, primarily based on an assessment of means.

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. 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 Drug Payment Scheme (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 families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

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 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.