Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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104. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that motor neurone disease is not included in the long-term illness scheme; the reason this is the case; his plans to add it to the scheme and when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23540/14]

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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105. To ask the Minister for Health when the list of conditions covered under the long-term illness scheme will be reviewed and updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23541/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme. The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.

Motor neurone disease is not covered by the LTI Scheme. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.