John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 630: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she intends to implement the twenty recommendations which were made in June 2006 by the working group set up by her to advise her on the action necessary to address the problems caused by haemochromatosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28484/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 751: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 on 20 June 2006, the status of the working group on haemochromatosis; if it has completed its deliberations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29440/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 751 together.

In March 2006, I established a Working Group to examine the nature and extent of haemochromatosis in Ireland and to advise on the actions necessary to address the problems caused by it.

The Working Group presented its report to me in June 2006. It makes a series of recommendations relating to the management and treatment of haemochromatosis. The report has been circulated to the HSE and other relevant organisations for implementation. A key recommendation was that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) would commence venesection clinics, allowing it to retain and use the blood drawn from persons with haemochromatosis. This has been agreed and the National Medical Director of the IBTS has informed the Irish Haemochromatosis Association that clinics will be set up in Dublin and probably also in Cork, early next year.

Since the publication of the report there have been discussions with insurers to address anomalies in insurance cover. The Irish Insurance Federation is assisting in whatever way it can and its Information Officer will deal with any reports of alleged discriminatory treatment by insurers. The report has created greater awareness of the key issues relating to the management of haemochromatosis. I am confident that the various agencies will work with the Irish Haemochromatosis Association to implement the recommendations.