Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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457. To ask the Minister for Health if, in the interest of fairness, persons on long-term dialysis, some of whom are experiencing extreme financial difficulty, will be added to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27885/14]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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470. To ask the Minister for Health his views on adding Crohn's disease to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27951/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 457 and 470 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. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered under 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 HSE 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.