Healthcare Policy
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-30
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Mark Duffy (FG), Labour Panel

I thank the Minister of State for being here. My Commencement matter arises from work I have done with Councillor Ben Ward in Tullow, County Carlow. I have also worked with Senators Garret Ahearn, Maria Byrne, Garret Kelleher and P. J. Murphy on this issue. We are making a clear request for a reduction in the maximum payment under the drugs payment scheme, DPS, from €80 to €60 in budget 2027. I know that budgets are finite, but there is a commitment in the programme for Government to explore a reduction in the maximum payment. The people affected are in difficult medical situations and perhaps have long-term illnesses. In a time when the cost of living is high, we need to try to take away some of the pain of essential costs, such as medical bills.
Councillor Ward has written to the Tánaiste and Taoiseach about this matter, on which he is a very passionate advocate on behalf of many constituents in his area who have felt the pressure of the cost of living. The proposal is budgeted to cost approximately €45 million out of a €27 billion budget for health. I would welcome it being given consideration. There are demands across all Departments but, as I said, this would help vulnerable people. Spending on essential life-saving medication is not discretionary. The proposed reduction would ease the burden on people who are under pressure and have a profound positive impact. I would welcome if the Minister gave it consideration.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-30/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:53+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-30