Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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145. To ask the Minister for Health the entitlements of persons qualifying for the long-term illness scheme; if provision is made for persons within this category to be included in vocational training opportunities and employment schemes; and the circumstances in which persons qualifying under the scheme could be deemed eligible for workplace programmes and training courses on which they do not receive a social welfare payment. [52616/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Long Term Illness (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 may receive drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

Eligibility under the scheme does not entitle a person to vocational training opportunities or employment schemes.