Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increased incidents of narcolepsy in children and adolescents in Ireland as a result of a side effect of the Pandemrix vaccine; if he will outline his future plans to support the network of families now affected by this with particular reference to a package of supports he proposes to put in place in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54667/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The association between Pandemic vaccination and an increased risk of narcolepsy in children/adolescents is acknowledged in the epidemiological report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee. However, causation has not been established. My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs.

The HSE and the Department of Education and Skills together provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to those affected. These supports and services include access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. Multi-disciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place are ongoing. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also 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.