Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that I take very seriously my responsibilities in the Department of Health. Indeed, the Deputy takes his responsibilities very seriously, which includes being a representative for his constituents, as indeed does Deputy Martin Kenny. The Deputy makes a very good case, and I certainly will convey the very well presented and well-felt feelings for the two girls, his constituents, who are affected by this.

As the Deputy and the House will appreciate, neither I nor the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, can tell the Department or the HSE what drugs to okay and what drugs to reject. There is a process in place as a result of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Drugs) Act 2013 which was passed in this House. The criteria is now set in law. It is a strict criteria because we cannot have a situation where drug companies can charge the State, funded by the working and contributing classes of this country, any price they want. There is no magic pot out there. We have to have a structure and there has to be a system in place. While that system is in place, I appreciate that there is a lot of anxiety on the part of the families now. My Department has written to the HSE and asked it to ensure that the care of these two people is paramount in all considerations, and that they will be contacted and kept informed of any decisions and assisted in any way possible. I will redouble those efforts, on behalf of my Department, and convey that to the HSE today, and I can assure the Deputy of that on foot of his request. I cannot go any further and give any confirmation at this stage as to what drugs will or will not be reimbursed by the State.

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