Vol. 457 No. 4
19 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the consideration, if any, which has been given to broadening the range of illnesses covered under the long-term illness scheme; the submissions or illnesses, if any, that his Department has been requested to consider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15477/95]
Limerick East): The long-term illness scheme entitles persons who suffer from certain specified illnesses to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of the particular illnesses. The scheme has not been extended since 1975 and there are no plans to expand the number of illnesses covered by the scheme. The Department regularly considers submissions from a wide range of organisations representing people with conditions such as asthma, spinal injuries, ileostomy, lupus, among others.
The long-term illness scheme, however, is only one of a number of schemes in operation which provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines for persons with an ongoing medical condition.
Where an individual or a family is subjected to a significant level of ongoing expenditure on medical expenses, such as general practitioner fees or prescribed drugs due to a long-term medical condition, these expenses may be reckoned in determining eligibility for a medical card. The drug cost subsidisation scheme caters for people who do not have a medical card or long-term illness book and are certified as having a medical condition with a regular and ongoing requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines. Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme will not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication.
Under the drugs refund scheme which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board.
I am satisfied that appropriate and comprehensive support is being provided by the State through the existing range of schemes for people with long-term medical conditions.
