670. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health if her Department is considering the inclusion of Crohn's disease under eligibility criteria for the long-term illness scheme; the rationale for its current exclusion given that Crohn's disease is a chronic, incurable condition requiring lifelong medication and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46857/26]

671. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to adding Crohn's disease, which is life-changing and life-long, to the long-term illness scheme; if not, if this will this be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46859/26]

804. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the policy rationale for the continued exclusion of sarcoidosis from the HSE long-term illness scheme; if she will acknowledge that Ireland has one of the highest global prevalence rates of sarcoidosis, yet patients face an annual out-of-pocket cost of up to €960 under the drugs payment scheme for essential medications; and if her Department will update the statutory list of 16 conditions under the Health Act 1970 to include sarcoidosis. [47508/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 670, 671 and 804 together.

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 to be covered by the Scheme. Further information, including the list of conditions, can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/about/.

Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.

Individuals and families in Ireland may be entitled to the following schemes:

• General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (medical card). Eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). 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.

• Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.

The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.