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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 5

Written Answers. - Long-term Illness Scheme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

93 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people estimated to be suffering from asthma here; and his views on whether such people should be allowed free medication under the long-term illness scheme. [30751/01]

As asthma is not a notifiable disease, there are no precise statistics available on the number of people with the condition in Ireland. The Asthma Society of Ireland estimates that there are in excess of 250,000 persons with the condition here. This figure includes intermittent sufferers with irregular medication needs.

The long-term illness scheme entitles persons to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of a specific schedule of illnesses. There are no plans to extend the scheme to include asthma, having regard to the other schemes available to help people with the cost of drugs and medicines.

People who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange for the provision of medical ser vices for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide. In determining eligibility for a medical card, a chief executive officer has regard to the financial circumstances of the applicant. Income guidelines are used by health boards to assist in determining a person's eligibility. Even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, the person may still be awarded a medical card if a chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis.
Non medical card holders and people with conditions other than those covered under the long-term illness scheme can avail of the drug payment scheme. Under the drug payment scheme no individual or family unit pays more than £42 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
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