Dublin Mid-West Eoin Ó Broin TD has labelled the delays in increasing the medical card threshold the over 70s and in reducing prescription charges as “unacceptable”.
Teachta Ó Broin said: “I have received calls from dozens of people wondering what the delay is in increasing the weekly gross medical card income limits for those over 70. “I have also been contacted by constituents wondering when their prescription charges will be reduced as promised by the government nearly a year ago in Budget 2020. “This would have represented a reduction of €0.50c to €1 per item for persons aged over 70 years, and a reduction of €0.50c to €1.50 for persons under 70. “According to information I received in response to a parliamentary question these changes were meant to occur in July.
“However, the Minister for Health is now saying that the funding cannot be found due to the additional costs of the pandemic and that: Decisions on the associated funding and a potential implementation date are being actively considered. “These changes must be fully enacted without any further delay. “Many hard pressed pensioners, many of whom are surviving on small occupational pensions, must be able to access the medical cards and the reduction in prescription charges that were promised to them back in October 2019.”
