asked the Minister for Health whether he is prepared to include coeliac disease in the category of long term diseases; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Long Term Diseases.
5.
I have already indicated, in reply to a question on 5th June, that I am reviewing the list of long-term illnesses. I cannot say at present if it will be possible to include coeliac disease in the prescribed list but I hope to make a statement on the matter when this review is completed.
Would the Minister be prepared to assure us that coeliacs would be entitled to his most sympathetic consideration?
Yes, and in addition there are a number of similar diseases that I would consider sympathetically. In relation not only to coeliacs but to those suffering from other long-term illnesses which are not scheduled ones, those who hold medical cards would be entitled to any drugs they require while those to whom limited eligibility applies would find that the most that these drugs or foods would cost them would be £4 per month.
Would the Minister accept that in the case of the treatment of coeliacs the question is not entirely that of the provision of drugs but involves other diets? I would ask the Minister to bear in mind that in one family there may be two persons suffering from the same illness and that at least those affected should be entitled to a medical card.
In relation to coeliac disease there is a provision whereby CEOs can regard such as those mentioned by the Deputy as hardship cases and can issue medical cards in respect of those members of a family suffering from the illness.
Perhaps the Minister is not aware of the reluctance on the part of CEOs to adopt in a sympathetic manner the guidelines that might be laid down by the Minister in this House.
Chief Executive Officers have the power to act as I have indicated. As I said in reply to a question last week, I shall bring matters such as that mentioned by the Deputy to the notice of the CEOs but in the meantime there are more than a million people for whom there would be no expense whatever in relation to the treatment of an illness such as coeliac.