Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I cannot give such a commitment. The Minister will have to decide whether there will be a review or not.

I come across this issue quite a lot as a public representative. I am aware of it from members of my own family who have rheumatoid arthritis, which affects people as they get older and can lead to very disturbing inability to be able to move around. I will convey the Senator's views to the Minister on the number of life-long illnesses that are not included in the LTI book. A review may be overdue and perhaps as part of the budgetary process we may be able to bring it to the Minister and see whether we can seek some revision and review of the long-term illness card.

I agree with the Senator that people are affected by a number of conditions that are life-long illnesses but do not come within the terms of the LTI scheme. I will bring this to the attention of the Minister for Health.