I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.
Under the 1970 Health Act, a health board may arrange for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with any of the following conditions who do not have a medical card for the treatment of that condition under the long term illness scheme: mental handicap; mental illness — for people under 16 only; phenylketonuria; cystic fibrosis; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; diabetes mellitus; diabetes insipidus; haemophilia; cerebral palsy; epilepsy; multiple sclerosis; muscular dystrophies; parkinsonism; conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions.
The assessment procedures for granting a long-term illness card are the responsibility of each health board. People with any of the listed illnesses may apply directly to their local board for admission to the scheme. If the Deputy is aware of specific cases where he considers that eligibility has been incorrectly withdrawn, he should forward the details directly to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. Where the Deputy has specific complaints about the operation of the overall scheme by health boards, he should supply details directly to my Department.