Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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777. To ask the Minister for Health if the monthly threshold under the drug payment scheme limit will be reviewed again in the near future (details supplied); if not, if additional flexibility will be applied on a case-by-case basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16215/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances does not exceed a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. Currently, the DPS threshold is €80, so no individual or family pays more than that a month on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines. Considerations of further changes to the DPS threshold will be made in the context of current healthcare priorities and the budget available.

However, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.

In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge. As you are aware, changes to the eligibility thresholds for GP visit cards will come into effect in April 2023 which will ensure that more people have access to this care free of charge.

The DPS is deliberately designed as a simple universal non-means tested scheme which is in place to protect those who do not qualify for a medical card. There is a process around means testing for medical cards which requires that the HSE consider hardship and inability to pay for required health care when making determinations around eligibility for healthcare services. The introduction of diverse DPS thresholds would introduce a level of complexity into the operation of the scheme that is not justified when there is another scheme in place to assist in cases of hardship.

Further information regarding these schemes is available at www2.hse.ie/costs-schemes-allowances/.

Finally, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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778. To ask the Minister for Health to address matters concerning IBD care (details supplied) which extends beyond gastroenterologists and specialist nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16216/26]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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779. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding treatment for people suffering from a condition called Fragile X Syndrome; if this is under review within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16227/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.