Written answer
Health Services
335. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if increased funding will be provided to make medicine affordable to assist people with asthma and severe asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42312/24]
Comment on this
The Health Service Executive (HSE) administer two schemes, on behalf of the State, which assist people with their medical costs. These are the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, and the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).
The Government has also introduced measures that have facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, including the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for adults and children, and an expansion of access to free GP care to include more adults and children.
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 GMS Scheme. 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, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
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 those who are not eligible for a medical card but incur 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%.