James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health the reason medication for ADHD ceases to be reimbursed when a child reaches 16 years of age. [27147/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971 (SI 277 of 1971), the age limit for the supply of drugs and medicines under the Long Term illness Scheme to persons suffering from mental illness is 16 years. For those over the age of 16, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.