Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 1995

Vol. 449 No. 8

Written Answers. - Spinal Injuries Specification.

Alan Shatter

Question:

45 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health if he will include those who suffer from spinal injuries within the long term illness scheme as sought by the Spinal Injuries Action Association in their policy document submitted to Government in November 1994. [1984/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The long term illness scheme entitles persons who suffer from certain specified illnesses to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of these particular illnesses. The original aim of the scheme was to ensure that persons with a long term disability or disease which is treatable by drug therapy would not have to suffer expense in order to obtain their required drugs and medicines.

The needs of people with significant or ongoing medical expenses are now being met by a range of other schemes which provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines.

Where an individual or a family is subjected to a significant level of ongoing expenditure on medical expenses (general practitioner fees, prescribed drugs etc.) due to a long term medical condition such as spinal injury, these expenses may be reckoned in determining eligibility for a medical card. In some cases a medical card may issue to a family member on a personal basis. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide.

Persons who suffer from an ongoing medical condition can avail of the drug cost subsidisation scheme which caters for people who do not have a medical card or long term illness book and are certified as having a long term medical condition with a regular and ongoing requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines in excess of an amount per month, currently £32. Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme will not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication.

Under the drugs refund scheme which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board.

I am satisfied that appropriate and comprehensive support is being provided by the State through the existing range of drug schemes to those with medical expenses arising from conditions such as spinal injury. Accordingly, I have no plans to extend the number or range of illnesses currently covered by the long term illness scheme.