Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on providing ileostomy bags free of charge to persons who need them; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that users need these for their lifetime; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that in the United Kingdom and most of Europe these bags and associated equipment are available free of charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7297/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive 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, through the long term illness scheme. The scheme does not cover general practitioner fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions covered are mental handicap, mental illness for those 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. There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions.

Products which are necessary for the management of the specified illness are available to long term illness scheme patients. Other products are available according to the patient's eligibility. There are a variety of ileostomy bags included on the list of reimbursable non-drug items for the community drugs schemes.

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. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

In November 2004, I introduced a new graduated benefit in the form of the general practitioner visit card to extend free general practitioner care and treatment to individuals and families on low incomes.

In June last year, I simplified the means test for both medical and general practitioner visit cards. It is now based on an applicant's and spouse's income after income tax and PRSI deductions and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. In October, I announced that the income guidelines for both medical and general practitioner visit cards would be increased by an additional 20%. This means the income guidelines are now 29% higher than this time last year. These improvements have also made the assessment process much fairer and ensure that those on low or moderate incomes can qualify for free general practitioner care.

Non-medical card holders can use the drug payment scheme, which protects against excessive medicines costs. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €85 per calendar month, or approximately €20 per week, towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, the Deputy will be aware that drug payment medical expenses above a set threshold may be offset against tax.