Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is absolutely correct. As he will have heard in my earlier response, it is anticipated the number of patients presenting will increase by at least 100 per annum over the next five years, so we have to build capacity. There are currently 12.5 whole-time equivalents in the adult metabolic service at the Mater hospital and that figure will increase to 15.6, or an additional three posts. That is welcome and recruitment should be commenced as a matter of priority.

The recruitment of the additional staff agreed between the hospital and the HSE will enable the service to expand to meet future requirements, including the provision of Kuvan trialling and monitoring for appropriate patients with PKU. As I said earlier, children who are put on the drug remain on it, but it is not as accessible for some adults. I will certainly convey the Senator's concerns to the Minister for Health and I thank him for raising the issue.