John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1188: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expand the list of medical conditions under the long term illness scheme; if consideration is being given to Crohn's disease under any future expansions of the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17609/12]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1253: To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to including Crohn's disease on the list for the long term illness scheme in view of its debilitating and prolonged nature [18239/12]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1316: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to include medical conditions such as the genetic disorder Long QT syndrome on the list of qualifying ailments for qualification for a long-term illness medical card; and if not, the reason therefore, in view of the circumstances of the condition and the potential medical costs involved. [18674/12]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1317: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the long term Illness criteria to qualify for a medical card to include all those who are awaiting heart, lung or kidney transplants, in view of the medical costs entailed in those conditions, and the fact that they could be awaiting a match for many years and would have many episodes which would require treatment or hospitalisation while awaiting the operation and would require substantial medication prior to and after such an operation. [18675/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1188, 1253, 1316 and 1317 together.

There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme 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 consultation.