Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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1007. To ask the Minister for Health when the long-term condition sarcoidosis will be included under the general medical services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31446/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1019. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the inclusion of a specified condition (details supplied) under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31503/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1007 and 1019 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. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by 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.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (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.