Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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243. To ask the Minister for Health to outline his plans to extend the long-term illness scheme to include those persons who currently suffer from Crohn’s disease and asthma, in view of the fact that currently they are not covered by this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11115/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: 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, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme.