133 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the list of items covered on the long term illness book to include items such as the need for a child who is mentally handicapped to have a free harness for use in bed due to the problem of fits.

The long term illness scheme provides drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances free of charge to persons with one of 15 specified illnesses. The provision of items such as harnesses is based on the needs of the individual concerned. If the Deputy is aware of any particular difficulty in this area, perhaps he would let me have the details and I will have the matter investigated.