386. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if she plans to change the income thresholds for those over the age of 66 in receipt of the drug reimbursement scheme, for both single individuals and couples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31244/26]

The State recognises the importance of timely access to innovative medicines for patients in Ireland. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 270 new medicines. Budget 2026 allocated €30 million of funding available for new drugs to be allocated from the overall additional €217 million in funding allocated for medicines.

This has allowed the HSE, which has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, to approve reimbursement for 276 new medicines of which 110 new medicines were for cancer and 75 new medicines for rare diseases.

The Year 1 cost of a new drug comes from the allocation for new medicines, but it should be noted that once these medicines are approved for reimbursement the full cost of providing them can reach multiples of this initial cost as their uptake increases.

Ireland is among the highest spenders on health across the EU (OECD), with the third-highest rate of State coverage of pharmaceutical expenditure in Europe.

In line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government, the Government will continue to prioritise improving the affordability of healthcare and medicines, including through ongoing review of community drugs schemes such as the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).

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. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.

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 significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

There has been a significant focus in recent years on improving access to, and the affordability of, healthcare services.

This includes reductions in the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold, reductions in the prescription charges per item and maximum monthly prescription charges under the GMS scheme, 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 support affordable access to quality healthcare.

Any consideration of any future changes to the eligibility for medicines will be made in the context of current healthcare priorities and the budget available.