Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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564. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider adding Aicardi syndrome as one of the conditions that qualify for a long term illness card due to the severity of the condition [30193/13]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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607. To ask the Minister for Health if the condition Achondroplasia is recognised on the long term illness scheme which qualifies persons with the condition for a medical card under medical grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30670/13]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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624. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering categorising Addison’s disease as an illness under the long term illness scheme [30745/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 564, 607 and 624 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 €144 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 GP consultations.