Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason there has been a withdrawal of coverage for gluten free products to coeliac patients under the medical card scheme and if he will reconsider this matter. [40325/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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In 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. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products.

Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application 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.