Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This condition has a wide-ranging impact in terms of the ability to drive, travel alone and live independently. It has a major impact which is unimaginable. Higher education access and supports are available. Students with narcolepsy can access the disability access route to education, a college and university scheme which allows enhanced access to third level education for pupils with disabilities. Further details are available and I will make these available to the Deputy. Examples of some of the supports at third level include priority registration. Students with disabilities can be allowed to register earlier than general registration in each academic year. They can access recordings of lectures on audiotapes and transcriptions of recorded audiotapes of lectures. A range of supports is available.

Deputy Stanton's point is well taken in terms of the co-ordination because this is a lifespan issue. Not alone is it a lifespan issue but it is across all the areas of society that we expect to access and live through.

I will set out the arrangements for reimbursement on an ex gratiabasis including those for vouched expenses incurred because they are important. General practitioner visits are covered by the medical card. Consultant visits, hospital charges, prescription costs, opticians visits, dental costs, some costs associated with occupational therapy assessment and complementary therapies - in some instances these can be of help - travel costs to and from hospital and finally consultant appointments are included. Subsistence expenses have to be accompanied by receipts as do accommodation costs. A range of supports are in place to support people but only because it is such an overwhelming condition when it occurs unexpectedly, as it has in this instance. I will furnish the Deputy with the background briefing note. It may be of interest for those affected.

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