Fybromyalgia Support Services

To ask the Minister for Health his future plans to engage with the Department of Social Protection in order to ensure that sufferers of Fibromyalgia received their entitled payments at the earliest possible point with particular reference to both Departments recognising the illness as a long term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36829/12]

Reply: Minister Roisin Shorthall:

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that Fibromyalgia is accepted as a certifiable medical condition. Eligibility to its illness related benefit/allowance schemes is determined by the condition’s severity and expected duration. The medical assessment is made in accordance with that Department’s evidence based medical guidelines/protocols. Insofar as the Department of Health is concerned, the position is that there are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultation.