Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

463. To ask the Minister for Health the additional supports in place for persons not in possession of, and who do not qualify for, a medical card while in receipt of illness benefit and who have regular medical expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11210/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

For persons that do not qualify for the medical card there are specific situations where they may be entitled to financial aid under the Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS):

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.

Further details on the LTI can be found at: .

The cost of medicines for conditions not covered under the LTI Scheme may be reduced under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS). The DPS provides protection from excessive ongoing expenditure on medicines. Under this scheme, an individual or family pays up to the first €144 each month for approved prescription items, with any cost above that threshold paid by the State. There is no prescription charge under the DPS.

Anybody who lives in Ireland and has a personal public service number is entitled to join the DPS. You can register at or at any community pharmacy.

You may also be able to may claim tax relief on the cost of certain medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%. Details on how to claim are at .