Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Epilepsy Sufferers.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

78 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who suffer from epilepsy in Ireland; and the concessions such as medical card, free travel, counselling and others that is available to them or their families by virtue of their complaint. [14036/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Because of the difficulty in formulating a precise definition of epilepsy it is not possible to give the exact number of epilepsy sufferers in Ireland. The medical literature which is based on international studies gives an incidence of epilepsy of approximately 50 per 100,000 people per year.

People with epilepsy can avil of services provided in the normal course of health service position through the health boards.

People with epilepsy are not automatically entitled to a medical card because of their condition. Entitlement to health services in Ireland is based on means. Under the Health Act, 1970, medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, are unable, without undue hardship to provided general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index.

Epilepsy is one of the conditions which entitles people under the longterm illness scheme to obtain without charge the drugs and medicines for the treatment of their condition.

In addition, funding is provided each year through the health boards to Brainwave — the Irish Epilepsy Association — to enable it to provide support and information to people suffering from epilepsy.