Duncan Smith
Question:1398. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the drugs payment scheme threshold to €50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (1398)
Written answers
It is estimated that the full year cost of reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) threshold from the current threshold of €80 per month to €50 per month would be €47.5m at a minimum.
This data is based on the claiming month of May 2023 (c. 132,000 claimants), is annualized to determine the full year cost, and does not include the cost for those who are currently sub-threshold but who may become eligible for the Scheme were the threshold reduced.
It is therefore likely that the full year cost will exceed this minimum and fall somewhere (depending on the number of additional claimants) between €47.5m and €63.7m per annum.