Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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567. To ask the Minister for Health when he will put in place a package for the children who were affected by the swine 'flu Pandemrix injection. [20118/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy, with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with a range of services and supports to meet their health needs. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for health service delivery and at my request the HSE developed a range of appropriate services and supports to address the needs of this group. Together, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills provide a very 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 HSE's advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND and last met representatives of the group on 28 February 2013. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individuals affected by narcolepsy and their families to facilitate access to services already in place. Last month, on 22 March 2013 the HSE held an information day for families affected by narcolepsy to ensure those affected were made fully aware of all of the services available to them. I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.