Vol. 506 No. 2
270 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the longterm illness scheme; the illnesses covered by the scheme; and the proposals, if any, he has to review the scheme in the near future in view of the fact the scheme has not been revised since 1970. [15177/99]
The long-term illness scheme entitles persons to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of a specific schedule of illnesses. The illnesses covered by this scheme are: mental handicap, mental illness (for persons under 16 years only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism and acute leukaemia.
The long-term illness scheme has not been extended since 1975, and there are no plans to change the scheme or to expand the number of illnesses covered by the scheme having regard to the fact that the needs of individuals with significant or ongoing medical expenses are being met by other schemes which provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines.
At present, persons who suffer from an ongoing medical condition can avail of the drug cost subsidisation scheme which caters for people who do not have a medical card or a 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 do not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication.
In addition, 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 relevant health board.
With effect from 1 July 1999, the existing drug cost subsidisation and drug refund schemes will be merged into one new drug payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per family unit or individual. No family or individual will have to pay more than £42 in any month on prescribed medicines. Any expenditure on prescribed medication in excess of £42 will be met by the State. There are no qualifying criteria for this new drug payment scheme and the scheme is open to everyone.
Furthermore, 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. In determining eligibility, the local health board will have regard to the financial circumstances of the applicant. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide.
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.
