Twenty thousand pensioners to lose medical card
Twenty thousand pensioners are to lose their full medical card and receive a GP visit card instead.
The measure is being introduced as part of a €750m cut to the health service budget next year.
There will also be an increase in prescription charges from 50c to €1.50, while the monthly threshold for the Drugs Payment Scheme is rising from €132 to €144 in January.
The Health Minister James Reilly says the income limits for medical cards for people over 70 are being reduced.
“The wealthiest 3% of over 70s, whose income is higher than €700 per week or €1400 for a couple, don’t qualify for a medical card at the moment and there will be no change for them.
“Those who have an income of €600 and €700 for an individual or an income of €1200 to €1400 a week will lose their medical cards and will be eligible for a GP visit card.”
Meanwhile, the chief executive of children's charity Barnardos says he is shocked and outraged by the budget.
Fergus Finlay says many of the measures announced today will have a devastating impact on poor families.
"To be honest, I'm shocked and outraged. The cuts in child benefit have no meaningful compensation for poorer families. The cuts in clothing and footwear allowances and introduction of PRSI on people with lower incomes will have a devastating effect on lower income families in Ireland," he said.
