Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004
313 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the last illness to be included in the long-term illness scheme; his proposals for it to include additional conditions; if polio was considered suitable for inclusion in the scheme. [15732/04]
View answerUnder the 1970 Health Act a health board may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition and for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness for people under 16 years only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. In 1975 parkinsonism, acute leukaemia, muscular dystrophies and multiple sclerosis were added. No further conditions have been added since then. The scheme was originally set up on an ad hoc basis in respect of a single illness. No specific criteria for inclusion were established at the time. There are no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions.
Other schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. 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 CEO of the relevant health board. In determining eligibility, the CEO 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 the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to family members on this basis. Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered under the long-term illness scheme, can use the drugs payment scheme. Under the scheme no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
