Pensioner to stop taking medication in budget protest

A NORTHSIDE pensioner has vowed to stop taking his medicine in protest over the prescription charge increase for medical card holders announced in last week’s budget.

Vincent Quinn (78), from Cromcastle Court, Kilmore West, criticised the Government’s decision to increase the charge from 50 cents to

?¬1.50.

“I am really angry over this,

? Mr Quinn told Northside People.

“I have to pay

?¬10 for the monthly medication for myself and my wife, now this will be going up to

?¬14. I can’t afford it on my pension.

“They have also cut back on our telephone and ESB allowance. It’s a triple whammy. I’m very annoyed.

“I kicked up over the 50c charge when it was introduced a few years ago and threatened to stop taking my medication.

“This time I’m definitely going to come off my medication. As a result of this increase, I’m going to go off it altogether.

“If I take ill, I will have to be taken into hospital and it will cost the Government more money in the long run.

?

Mr Quinn has a number of health issues including heart trouble and high blood pressure.

“My wife also suffers from heart trouble and is bad on her feet,

? he explained.

“The reason I’m complaining is not only for myself and my wife – it’s for every senior citizen in the country.

“It’s very unfair that senior citizens are hit all the time. We are the most vulnerable group and should not be hit like this.

?

Mr Quinn added:

“When the new Government came in they said they would take the 50c off, now they have gone and increased it.

?

Minister for Health James Reilly said

?¬781 million in savings in his department have to be made next year.

“The prescription charge increase for medical card holders was implemented because there is no choice due to the financial situation,

? he stated.

Meanwhile, it was announced in the budget that

?¬17.4 million will be provided to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the development of a new youth detention facility at Oberstown, Lusk. The detention centre project is expected to create some 520 jobs during construction.