Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the entitlement of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin to be included in their parents' entitlement to the drugs refund scheme will be reviewed. [31650/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The statutory basis for the drug payment scheme is section 59(2) of the Health Act 1970, which states that the HSE will make arrangements to meet the balance of the cost, or a portion thereof, for expenditure on drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of a person or his or her dependants. Family expenditure covers the nominated adult, his or her spouse, including a person with whom he or she is living as husband or wife, and children under the age of 18. Dependants over the age of 18 and under the age of 23 who are in full-time education may also be included. A dependant with a physical disability or a mental handicap or illness who cannot maintain himself or herself fully and does not hold a current medical card may be included in the family expenditure under the scheme. I have no plans to amend the conditions of the scheme.