James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I outlined earlier and for the record, by 10 May the Irish Medicines Board had received 48 reports confirming a diagnosis of narcolepsy with symptom onset following the Pandemrix vaccination. The majority of these reports relate to children and adolescents. Further possible cases have been investigated by the HSE and the Irish Medicines Board. As I have pointed out, a range of services are being provided through the Department of Education and Skills and the HSE. The development of a national centre for narcolepsy treatment is under active consideration by the HSE and money has been set aside for the development of such a centre in 2013. There has been active engagement between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills to meet the needs of those affected. There has also been active engagement with representatives of Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder, SOUND, the advocacy group for those affected. The HSE's advocacy unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Departments to facilitate access to required services. The HSE has established a network of liaison officers countrywide to allow a single point of service contact for those affected by narcolepsy. The HSE has also provided a range of services to those affected, including access to rapid diagnosis, clear care pathways and temporary medical cards, and expenses incurred by parents are being met by the HSE. The total amount expended since the reimbursement scheme began in 2011 is approximately €60,000.

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