Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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577. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22152/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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578. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons receiving medicines that are covered on the list that qualify under the long term illness scheme but who have medical cards and therefore are required to pay a prescription fee each month for the medicines whereas if they were on the long term illness scheme they would not have to make such a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22153/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together.

In 2011, 59,274 patients availed of the Long Term Illness Scheme. The corresponding figure for 2012 is not yet available. As at 29 April 2013 the number of persons who hold both an Long Term Illness card and a full medical card is 19,938.

The decision by the previous Government not to extend prescription charges to the Long Term Illness Scheme has given rise to the anomaly identified by the Deputy. This matter is under review.