Seamus Kirk
Question:261 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider including lupus as a qualifying illness on the long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29347/03]
Written Answers. - Long-Term Illness Scheme.
Persons suffering from any of the following conditions, who are not already medical card holders, may obtain without charge drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme: mental handicap, mental illness for persons under 16 years only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are no plans to amend the scheme to include persons with lupus.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services 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, a chief executive officer has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. Where a person's income exceeds the guidelines a medical card may be awarded if a chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances justifies it. Medical cards may also be issued to family members on this basis.
Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered under the scheme, can use the drugs payment scheme. Under the scheme no individual or family unit pays more than €70 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.