Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 269: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a report will be requested from the Health Service Executive regarding the complaint of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5124/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 270: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the procedures which are in place to ensure that multiple sclerosis sufferer's here are provided with access to leading edge, ethical treatment overseas. [5134/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 272: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the treatments available to multiple sclerosis and other sufferers of degenerative diseases here; her plans to bring in newer forms of ethically sound treatments such as umbilical cord stem cell therapy; if a temporary case could be made for those multiple sclerosis sufferers assessed as being suitable for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5136/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 272 together.

Multiple sclerosis, MS, is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, CNS, that is, the brain and spinal chord. Predominantly, it is a disease of the white matter. White matter is made up of nerve fibres which are responsible for transmitting communication signals both internally within the CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying the rest of the body.

In people affected by MS, patches of deyelination appear in random areas of the CNS white matter. Depending on which areas of the CNS are affected and how badly they are damaged, the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly. There are many treatments available for MS, depending on the patient's symptoms. These vary from Interferon to chemotherapeutic agents such as azathioprine and cyclosporine. Corticosteroids can also be used in the treatment of MS. Many other drugs are used, depending on individual symptoms, for example, neurogenic pain may require treatment with carbameazepine, which is an anti-convulsent, and symptoms of depression or anxiety may require treatment with an anti-depressant. Other drug treatments may be required, depending on the symptoms experienced by the individual patient.

A recent development in MS treatment is the production of new therapies based on embryonic stem cell research. These treatments are at a very early and experimental stage and have not yet been licensed for use. Introduction of these treatments in the future will depend on the evidence base for their effectiveness and their safety.

Responsibility for the provision of services to people with multiple sclerosis and sufferers of degenerative diseases is a matter for the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. My Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.