Vol. 468 No. 4
195 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health whether he has made a decision in respect of an application from the Lupus Support Group to include this illness on the long-term illness card; the assistance, if any, he has made available to this group; the help that is available to sufferers towards extra expenses, including medical, heating, clothing and special foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15607/96]
Limerick East): The long-term illness scheme entitles persons who suffer from certain illness to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of a particular illness. This scheme has not been extended since 1975 and there are no plans to expand the number of illnesses covered by this scheme having regard to the fact that the needs of individuals with significant or ongoing medical expenses are 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, such as general practitioner fees or prescribed drugs due to a long-term medical condition, these expenses may be reckoned in determining eligibility for a medical card.
The drug cost subsidisation scheme caters for people who do not have a medical card or a long-term illness book and are certified as having a medical condition with a regular and ongoing requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines. 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. A person or family who are unable to provide for their own heating or clothing needs should contact the community welfare officer at their local health centre who will be in a position to assess the individual's needs under the various schemes operated by the Department of Social Welfare. I am satisfied that appropriate and comprehensive support is being provided by the State through the existing range of schemes for people with long-term medical conditions.
