Long-Term Illness Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Questions (293, 343, 348, 384, 421)

Denis Naughten

Question:

293. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the qualifying illnesses covered under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4786/16]

Martin Heydon

Question:

343. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will review the long-term illness scheme to include asthma on the list of illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4968/16]

Martin Heydon

Question:

348. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the long-term illness scheme to include acromegaly on the list of illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

384. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the consideration he has given to including colitis under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5188/16]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

421. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason trigeminal neuralgia type 2 is not included under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5321/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 343, 348, 384 and 421 together.

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.