Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very much aware of the plight of people with Crohn's disease in Ireland as I suffer from the illness. I can understand how debilitating it can be to so many people in this country. I understand the financial pressures for families on low and middle incomes in meeting costs of medication. I make the point to the Deputy that in considering how we can better support people with Crohn's disease, there may be better places to look than the long-term illness scheme. This view has been adopted by successive Ministers and Governments. The scheme has been in place since the 1970s and has dealt with a number of conditions, including acute leukaemia, and terms we do not use in this country any more, such as mental handicap, cerebral palsy and mental illness. It covers a range of other issues as well, such as multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis.

Working together and examining the cap for the drug payment scheme, which is a commitment in the programme for Government, is one way of addressing the issue. I would be happy to meet either individuals suggested by the Deputy or representative bodies to discuss the matter further.

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