Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if the dietary supplement for children with coeliac disease at €6.50 per month is regarded as sufficient; if consideration was given to the adequacy of the supplement in advance of the withdrawal of this support from those in receipt of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49560/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, 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. 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 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.

The operation of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.