Written answers

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Department of Health

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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699. To ask the Minister for Health if Ehlers-Danlos syndrome will be recognised, as a long-term illness, as required under a EU Council recommendation of 8 June 2009 on an action in the field of rare diseases 2009/C 151/02. [49416/13]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Ireland has been supportive of the EU proposals on rare disease which concluded with a Council Recommendation (2009/C 151/02) in June 2009. The end point is that countries are recommended to develop plans or strategies for rare diseases. Ireland is now well advanced in this work and it is expected that a rare disease plan will be finalised in the near future.

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme is a non-means tested scheme introduced in 1971 under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). It provides free medicines and medical or surgical appliances to people with specified conditions. Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the Scheme. There are no plans to extend the LTI 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.

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