Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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790. To ask the Minister for Health whether he has plans to list chronic kidney disease as one of the medical conditions eligible for the long-term illness scheme in view of the fact that persons who currently have kidney disease must cover the cost of medication and are not entitled to benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46738/17]

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.

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. Budget 2018 reduced the monthly DPS threshold to €134, and this measure will be implemented from 1 January 2018.

Under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, medical cards are provided to people who cannot, without undue hardship, pay for medical treatment for themselves and their dependants. Under the GMS, approved prescribed medicines are free. Budget 2018 reduced the per item charge for medicines to €2, with a monthly cap of €20. This measure will also be introduced from 1 January 2018.