Vol. 430 No. 2
255 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the substantial medical expenses incurred in the case of children with congenital-adrenal hyperpalsia; and if he will include this condition among the conditions listed for the longterm illness card.
The long term illness scheme covers 15 specified illnesses and there are no plans at present to extend the scheme to include any further conditions. Congenital-adrenal hyperpalsia is not one of those illnesses covered by the scheme.
The long term illness scheme, however, is only one of a number of schemes in operation which provides assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines for persons with ongoing medical conditions.
No long term illness grants automatic entitlement to a medical card. However, persons with long term conditions, who in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board are unable to meet their medical expenses, without undue hardship, may be granted a medical card which will entitle them to the supply of all drugs and medicines without charge.
