asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 16 years who suffer from kidney disease and who are on dialysis; how much it would cost to extend the medical care provisions afforded to long-term ailments in this category; and whether he will consider providing such cover for this category.
Written Answers. - Kidney Disease.
612.
I understand that there are currently seven patients aged under 16 years who are on dialysis treatment, and they receive their dialysis treatments free of charge. While the long-term illness scheme provides drugs free of charge when they are prescribed for the treatment of one of the listed conditions the further requirements of dialysis patients might not be met under that scheme. Therefore, I am having their position examined further.