Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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530. To ask the Minister for Health if the condition known as bilateral recurrent serpiginous choroiditis may be added to the long term illness scheme due to its progressive nature and the need for aggressive immunosuppression and careful long term observation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17751/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The long term illness scheme, LTI, 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.