Written answers

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Department of Health

Vaccination Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health when he intends to publish in full the National Narcolepsy Steering Committee Report; if he will outline the key findings and recommendations of the report and the resulting mechanisms his Department intends to put in place for children, teenagers, young adults who were vaccinated with the Pandemrix swine flu vaccine in 2009 and 2010 and as a result have subsequently received a narcolepsy diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31099/12]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The report of the National Narcolepsy Steering Committee was published on 19 April and is available on my Department's website. My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills to address the needs of those affected by narcolepsy.

The HSE has provided a range of services and supports to those affected including access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred.

Multi-disciplinary assessments which will allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place have commenced. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is currently engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected. In addition, reasonable accommodations were put in place for students with narcolepsy who undertook state exams this month.

My Department is considering all other possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected. A Memorandum for Government setting out the full response to this issue is being prepared for submission in the coming weeks.

I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.

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