Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Questions (565)

Dara Calleary

Question:

565. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ADHD patients in the Health Service Executive western region are being denied long-term illness books despite the medications associated with the conditions being available on the long-term illness book scheme in other HSE areas; if he will admit that ADHD is classed as mental illness and as such should be covered under the heading of mental illness in children under 16 years in the long-term illness book; if he will admit that this situation represents discrimination against ADHD patients in the western region; the measures being taken to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42155/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The classification of ADHD as a mental illness or not has led to issues of inconsistency in the application of eligibility in the Long Term Illness scheme. The HSE has undertaken a review of the matter and is implementing new guidelines which address the issues for ADHD patients fairly and consistently for new and recent applicants.