Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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457. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that inappropriate language in regard to disability is still contained on HSE application forms, such as the long-term illness scheme form, which refers to ‘mental handicap’; and if a review of HSE application forms will take place to ensure the use of appropriate language. [23782/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions covered by the Scheme.

As prescribed in the respective regulations, these 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.

Applications to receive an LTI Scheme card are made to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The application form can be found at the following link: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/apply/.

The HSE application forms notes that one of the 16 conditions eligible under the LTI Scheme is “intellectual disability”, and then notes in parentheses (and in smaller print) how this condition is described in the respective legislation. The HSE is therefore attempting to use appropriate language to describe the condition while also referencing the legislation upon which its rests.