Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I sense the Minister of State's frustration in the response. When I give my response back it is not aimed at the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, it is aimed at the lack of urgency in addressing the issue.

When the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, was in opposition in 2018 he raised this very issue. Back then he would have brought it to the Heath Products Regulatory Authority much quicker than last month.

The effects of hyperemesis are not insignificant for pregnant women. It takes an extreme toll on the mental and physical health of the pregnant person. I want to thank the work of Hyperemesis Ireland and everyone who has shared their story on just how debilitating, isolating, and needlessly financially devastating this condition can be. I acknowledge also the domino effect that this on our health care system. In 2019 there were 3,237 day patients and inpatients as a result of dehydration and for hyperemesis treatment. In 2020, at a time when maternity services, like all health care services, were severely impacted a result of Covid, the figure was 3,007. How many women would not have needed such hospital intervention at the height of the pandemic had Cariban been available to them?

I will come off script now and say to the Minister of State that I believe there is a shared need for urgency around this issue. The Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly made a statement last that was picked up in the media, captured attention and got people excited. Can we please just bring some finality to this? Women are suffering as a consequence of an absence of action on the issue. This medication costs more than €45 per week and people just cannot afford it. Let us get some urgency behind it. It does not have to be an issue of the Opposition versus the Government. I believe we share the same goal in this regard. I trust that the Minister of State would take this frustration, which we both seem to share, back to the Minister for Health. I ask that the Minister of State would put a bit of fire under him for it.

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