John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the figures available for ulcerative colitis for the age group of 16 to 25 for the years 2002 and 2003; the figures for the age group of 16 to 25 for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 for Crohn's disease; if an increase has been noted; the steps he intends to take to ensure that patients are entitled to the long-term illness payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16531/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The conditions that the Deputy refers to are not notifiable diseases under the public health system. Thus the figures that the Deputy requested are not collected by my Department.

Under the Health Act 1970, a health board may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness, or LTI, scheme. The conditions are: 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.

Other schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. In determining eligibility, the CEO has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. However, where a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may be awarded if the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify that. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on that basis. Non-medical card holders and people with conditions not covered under the LTI can use the drugs payment scheme. Under that scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. There are no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions for the LTI.