Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 22nd November, 2013.

I, JAMES REILLY, Minister for Health, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 59 (as amended by section 1 of the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010 (No. 20 of 2010)) of the Health Act 1970 (No. 1 of 1970) (as adapted by the Health and Children (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2011 ( S.I. No. 219 of 2011 )), being of opinion that a further variation of the amounts referred to in subsections (1A) and (1B)(a) of the said section 59 is desirable, having formed such opinion in accordance with subsection (4)(b) of the said section 59, and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, hereby make the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Health Services (Prescription Charges) Regulations 2013.

2. These Regulations come into operation on 1 December 2013.

3. The amount referred to in section 59(1A) of the Health Act 1970 (No. 1 of 1970) is varied to €2.50.

4. The amount referred to in section 59(1B)(a) of the Health Act 1970 is varied to €25.00.

5. The Health Services (Prescription Charges) Regulations 2012 ( S.I. No. 545 of 2012 ) are revoked.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform consents to the making of the foregoing Regulations.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

14 November 2013.

BRENDAN HOWLIN,

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

15 November 2013.

JAMES REILLY,

Minister for Health.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation)

These Regulations provide for an increase in the prescription charge from €1.50 per item to €2.50 per item and for an increase in the monthly cap from €19.50 to €25 per person or family per month.