Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the rationale behind the decision that gluten free products are to be no longer reimbursed under the drugs payment scheme and general medical scheme; the alternative arrangements he advises such patients should put in place if the cost of buying the products is prohibitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38421/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders in County Donegal that require gluten-free foods. [38430/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide assistance to persons who were previously entitled to gluten-free products which are no longer available to medical card holders. [38431/12]

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will reconsider proposals that gluten free products will no longer be covered under the medical card scheme; the alternatives available to those who are affected by this change should it proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38652/12]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter in relation to medical cards in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/12]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to withdraw gluten free products from the drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38871/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will immediately reverse the decision to cease support for medical card holders with coeliac disease to obtain gluten-free products on prescription [38943/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reverse the removal of gluten free products from the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1752 to 1754, inclusive, 1773, 1793, 1801, 1813 and 1845 together.

The current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Many European countries do not pay for food products under their Health Service Arrangements – the logic being that all persons need to buy food.

Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement form which can be downloaded at the following link: . Separate application forms are available for children.

For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.

In relation to the number of medical card holders in County Donegal that require gluten-free foods, the HSE’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service cannot provide this as it does not collate information on the type of illnesses/conditions associated with medical card holders.