Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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517. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the inclusion of Crohn's disease on the long-term illness list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13293/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 517 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, which 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.

Under the LTI scheme, persons suffering from only these prescribed conditions are provided free of charge with the drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances required for the treatment of those conditions. As Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are not one of those prescribed illnesses it is not possible to provide medication free of charge under the LTI scheme. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI scheme.

Assistance with the cost of medication is provided under the Drug Payment Scheme whereby 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.

Furthermore, under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.