Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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137. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to approve the FreeStyle Libre scanner for children with diabetes under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9913/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to add further illnesses to be covered under the long term illness list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9914/19]

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 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 at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that it is proposed that the LTI Scheme would be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.