Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will add Crohn's disease to the long-term illness scheme in view of the fact that Crohn's sufferers require treatment over their lifetime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32366/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 634: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will include Crohn's disease as a long-term illness allowing sufferers to be entitled to a long-term illness card; if she will consider providing sufferers with specific access to the general medical service card in view of the fact that this disease needs constant monitoring and general practitioner assessment; if she will exempt them from prescriptions charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32423/10]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she intends to review the long-term illness scheme to include mental health conditions and depression for persons aged over 16 years of age and Crohn's disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32434/10]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 675: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will add Crohn's disease to the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32809/10]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 765: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if Crohn's disease will be included in the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33369/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 775: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will add Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis to the long term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33460/10]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 803: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to review the long-term illness scheme; if she will include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis on the list as they have no known cure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33882/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 627, 634, 636, 675, 765, 775 and 803 together.

There are no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month 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, 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 visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.