Covid blamed for delay in prescription charges cut
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has failed to sign off on a cut in prescription charges for medical cardholders that was supposed to come into effect three weeks ago.
The last government announced in the most recent budget that prescription charges would be reduced by 50c for all medical cardholders from July 1.
This would lead to charges being reduced to €1 per item for the over-70s and to €1.50 for people below that age.
The maximum monthly charge for medicines would also be reduced to €10 for over-70s and €15 for all other medical cardholders.
Former health minister Simon Harris had intended to sign regulations giving effect to the change before he left the department on June 27.
However, his successor Mr Donnelly has so far not signed these regulations, with his department saying he is "currently consulting with government colleagues on these proposals".
"Due to Covid, not only did these savings not materialise, but the budget will overrun by several billion euro," he told the Sunday Independent.
"I've already received sanction from the Dail for an additional €2bn, and will be seeking an additional sum later this year.
"As such, it's not a question of signing off, or not signing off. Additional monies would be required, which is a matter for Government and the Dail."
Answering parliamentary questions from Mr Donnelly last October - when he was Fianna Fail health spokesman - Mr Harris said the bill to reduce the charge to €1.50 with a monthly cap of €15 for under-70s would be €7m this year and €12m in a full year. Labour leader Alan Kelly said last night: "If he's not going to go ahead with the reduction he should clearly state why, and if this was agreed with his Coalition partners. And if that's the case I would question his commitment to Sláintecare."
Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland
Related Content
Most Watched
Play
Play
Play
Play
Play
Latest Coronavirus
- Covid surge ‘largely driven’ by new sub-variants – Dr Colm Henry urges symptomatic to self-isolate
- Dr Tony Holohan to step down from role as CMO today
- Covid surge behind return of hospital visitor and emergency restrictions
- 12 more Aer Lingus flights cancelled to and from Dublin Airport ‘due to spike in Covid cases’
- Europe’s travel chaos: The latest strikes, flight cuts and why there’s no quick end in sight
Most Read
- Covid surge ‘largely driven’ by new sub-variants – Dr Colm Henry urges symptomatic to self-isolate
- Dr Tony Holohan to step down from role as CMO today
- Lockdown exit: Public to be allowed travel anywhere inside their own county as restrictions to ease from Monday
- Nobel scientist predicts virus will 'burn out' in next two weeks
- Shopping centres to open from June 15 and some pubs to reopen by end of month - Varadkar fast-tracks opening up of country
Latest
- Ann Marie Hourihane on RTÉ’s Bog Amach: Escape to a cesspool of greed
- Trump feels betrayed but he never gave back the loyalty he demanded
- From Citizen Kane to Get Out – 10 films that get to the heart of America
- Diary of a Ukrainian refugee: ‘My husband was shocked and happy to see me in Kyiv’
- Roz Purcell's 30 best walks with a wild swim in Ireland