3157. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the drugs payment scheme to include essential self-care products, including incontinence wear and personal sanitary products, for persons who do not hold a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60119/26]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical products and services under the Community Funded Schemes (CFS) to persons with full eligibility (as set out in the Health Act 1970, as amended) free of charge following assessment by a relevant health professional.

The HSE oversees the provision and supply of incontinence wear products for eligible persons across Ireland as part of the CFS. Provision is based on an appropriate clinical assessment and a determination of the most appropriate products that will meet the individual’s needs. The provision of clinically appropriate incontinence wear products to eligible persons is operated by each Region under a national tender arrangement.

The HSE advise that this is a person–centred delivery system, which allows the individual or their carer to vary both the time of delivery, and the amount of product delivered according to their specific needs. It is also possible to alter the location for a particular delivery should the need arise.

The HSE also utilise the service provided by public health nurses and continence nurse advisors, to assess individual patient needs in order to ensure that the supply of incontinence wear products is appropriate. Governance arrangements have been strengthened through the implementation of an integrated electronic management system to support the ordering, supply, and distribution of incontinence wear products across all healthcare settings, including the home delivery service.

The HSE also advise that, in circumstances where a person does not hold full eligibility (such as a medical card or a Long-Term Illness scheme card), reimbursement support for incontinence wear products is provided under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).

The DPS ensures that expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances (including incontinence wear) 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. The current DPS threshold is €80 per month. While there are no set limits on the quantity, the DPS claim must be supported by a valid prescription for such products.