Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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738. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider including Crohn's Disease in the long term illness scheme in view of the financial hardship it is causing persons who do not qualify for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55225/13]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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866. To ask the Minister for Health if the medical condition Churg-Strauss syndrome is covered under the long-term illness scheme; if not, if consideration will be given to its inclusion as it is an extremely rare long-term medical condition with only two to five new cases per year per million people (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1331/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 738 and 866 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.