Long-Term Illness Scheme

Thursday, 23 March 2017

Questions (136, 156, 158)

Robert Troy

Question:

136. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to include Crohn's disease under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will include epi pens under the scheme. [14582/17]

View answer

156. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to add a medical condition (details supplied) as a qualifying condition under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14712/17]

View answer

Martin Heydon

Question:

158. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the inclusion of conditions (details supplied) onto the long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14748/17]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 156 and 158 together.

The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: 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. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme.