John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the current position in relation to communications with supports groups for people with narcolepsy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6570/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Both myself and officials from my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills have met with the relevant advocacy group on a number of occasions, to address their concerns and to outline the services available. 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. This includes expenses for counselling services for individuals and also for families of children affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination, in cases where such services are not already available through the HSE. 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. The Health Service Executive advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individual members of SOUND.

M y Department is considering all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. A further meeting with representatives from the support group will be arranged when the matter has been concluded.