David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

224. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to recognise fibromyalgia as a disability; his plans to update the long-term illness scheme to include this condition; his plans to introduce necessary supports and services for persons with fibromyalgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51428/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by severe pain, fatigue and stiffness, among many other symptoms. Fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose because there is no specific test and the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. Treatment often requires interventions from various medical specialists for management of symptoms as they arise. Fibromyalgia is not classified as a disability and there are currently no plans for its reclassification. 

The Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the scheme 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 Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme at this time. However, a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, will be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. 

In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the Long Term Illness Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The Scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants 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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.

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.