Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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383. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review or alter the payment system for drugs, currently in operation as part of the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17774/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended) under which theHSE may make arrangements for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines or medical and surgical appliancesto persons suffering from a prescribed disease or disability of a permanent or long-term nature. There are no plans to alter the Scheme.

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.