Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The national narcolepsy steering committee reported more than a year ago.

Commitments were made and while I acknowledge that there have been meetings with the HSE and other agencies of the State, what the representatives of children afflicted with narcolepsy on foot of the Pandemrix vaccine want is a clear pathway outlined on access to health and education services and some form of redress. With all due respect, this issue was to be addressed last September. A paper was due to go to Government in October but we are now in May 2013. While some individuals may have access to the various agencies of the State in terms of assistance and assessment, what they want is a guaranteed mechanism to be put in place vis-à-vishealth, education and redress in order that they can get on with their lives. That is critical, especially if we are to have confidence in vaccination schemes on a broader level. Clearly, if something goes wrong with a vaccination programme, it should be addressed because people have their children vaccinated in good faith and for the right reasons. The current situation whereby 30 children or more are now afflicted with narcolepsy and are effectively left to campaign on an individual basis is not good enough.

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