Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to ensure a national approach to asthma management here; her views on whether asthma should be covered by the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17610/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Asthma is not a notifiable disease and consequently, detailed information on its incidence in the general population is not routinely available. From the research available in this country, however, asthma is a common childhood condition with approximately 10% having experienced an attack of asthma. Similar to other European countries, the level of asthma has increased and is now approximately 20% in young teenagers.

There are a variety of risk factors for asthma, including environmental and genetic factors. In recent years, the Health Research Board has funded a number of proposals relating to asthma and respiratory disease. Legislation on smoking at work has also provided greater protection from toxic tobacco smoke which contributes to asthma. There is a major international research effort underway to identify risk factors for asthma. Ireland's involvement included the European Union's Joint Research Council initiative on childhood asthma and the co-ordination of an EU approach under the Irish Presidency of the European Union in 2004. Ireland has participated in international prevalence studies on asthma and there is ongoing work on the development of information systems on asthma.

I have no plans to include asthma in the Long Term Illness scheme. 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. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.

Non-medical card holders and people whose illness is not covered by the LTI scheme 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 non-reimbursed medical expenses above a set threshold may be offset against tax.