Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 11th January, 2019.

I, SIMON HARRIS, Minister for Health, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by subsection (4) of section 59A (inserted by section 4 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2017 (No. 5 of 2017)) of the Health Act 1970 (No. 1 of 1970), being of the opinion that a further variation of the amounts referred to in subsections (2) and (3) of that section is desirable, having formed such opinion in accordance with subsection (4) of that section, 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) (Over 70s) Regulations 2018.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on 1 April 2019.

3. The amount referred to in section 59A(2) of the Health Act 1970 (No. 1 of 1970) is varied to €1.50.

4. The amount referred to in section 59A(3) of the Health Act 1970 is varied to €15.00.

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

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

19 December 2018.

PASCHAL DONOHOE,

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

21 December 2018.

SIMON HARRIS,

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 a reduction in the prescription charge for medical card holders over the age of 70 and their dependents, from €2.00 to €1.50 per item, and for a reduction in the monthly cap from €20.00 to €15.00 per person or family.

These Regulations come into operation on 1 April 2019.