Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

-�Iris Oifigiúil-� of 1st January, 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 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 2012.

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

3. In these Regulations-�

-�Act of 1970-� means the Health Act 1970 (No. 1 of 1970);

-�Act of 2010-� means the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010 (No. 20 of 2010).

4. The amount of €0.50 referred to in section 59(1A) (inserted by section 1 of the Act of 2010) of the Act of 1970 is varied to €1.50.

5. The amount of €10.00 referred to in section 59(1B)(a) (inserted by section 1 of the Act of 2010) of the Act of 1970 is varied to €19.50.

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

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

20 December 2012.

BRENDAN HOWLIN,

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

20 December 2012.

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 50c per item to €1.50 per item and for an increase in the monthly cap from €10 to €19.50 per person or family per month.