Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I ask the Taoiseach to engage with the Minister for Health and ask her to review and, indeed, expand the long-term illness scheme. It rightly acknowledges a number of chronic illness and conditions, but it fails to acknowledge many others, such as those living with serious mental health conditions over the age of 16, heart conditions such as sarcoidosis, rare diseases like factor V Leiden and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's and colitis. These illnesses do not go away; they are managed for life.

Our drugs payment scheme is no doubt a huge source of relief for all families, capping medical expenses at €80 per month, but €80 per month for the rest of a person's life is a lot of money. This is an issue of fairness, equality, compassion and public health. Expanding the long-term illness list would ensure that those already carrying the weight of illness are not also carrying the weight of financial burden. I ask the Taoiseach and our Government to act on this and to update this outdated list and give dignity and support to every person living with a long-term illness.

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