Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 18th April, 2017.

I, SIMON HARRIS, Minister for Health, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 5 (2) of the Health (Amendment) Act 2017 (No. 5 of 2017), hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Health (Amendment) Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017.

2. In this Order “Act of 2017” means the Health (Amendment) Act 2017 (No. 5 of 2017).

3. (1) The 14th day of April 2017 is appointed as the day on which the Act of 2017, other than sections 2 and 3(b)(iii), shall come into operation.

(2) The 1st day of June 2017 is appointed as the day on which sections 2 and 3(b)(iii) of the Act of 2017 shall come into operation.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

12 April 2017.

SIMON HARRIS,

Minister for Health.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

This Order commences the Health (Amendment) Act 2017 , other than sections 2 and 3(b)(iii), which come into effect on 1 June 2017. The Act reduces the prescription charge for medical card holders over the age of 70 and their dependants. Sections 2 and 3(b)(iii) confer full eligibility for general practitioner and other health services to all children in respect of whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable.