Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Ceisteanna (417, 531, 589)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

417. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to add arthritis to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5333/16]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

531. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health to include emphysema and asthma under the long-term illness card, given that many sufferers of both illnesses are finding it difficult to pay for the high costs associated with treatment; why he has not included these illnesses on the list to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5950/16]

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

589. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to add fibromyalgia to the long-term illness scheme; the measures he is taking to raise awareness of fibromyalgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6200/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 417, 531 and 589 together.

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: 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. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

The issue of increasing awareness of fibromyalgia has previously been brought to the attention of the National Clinical Programme for Rheumatology. The programme advised that it is estimated that in region of 30% of referrals to rheumatology services in the hospital setting are related to fibromyalgia.

The National Clinical Programme has no specific fibromyalgia study planned; however, healthcare professionals can apply to the Health Research Board for research funding into fibromyalgia.