Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1100. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the lengthy delay in NIAC coming to a decision on whether to recommend the vaccine for Meningitis B for a national programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13566/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1101. To ask the Minister for Health the acceptable length of time for the NIAC to make a decision; the circumstances would he consider bypassing the NIAC process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13567/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1102. To ask the Minister for Health the reason, in view of recent cases of Meningitis B in counties Cavan and Westmeath he will consider making a direct decision regarding the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine as he did with the vaccine for HPV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13568/14]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1157. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take into account the fact that Ireland has the highest prevalence of Meningitis B in Europe when making a decision on whether to introduce a Meningitis B vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13878/14]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1158. To ask the Minister for Health his policy on the availability of the Meningitis B vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1100 to 1102, inclusive, 1157 and 1158 together.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. A Health Technology Assessment which includes a cost benefit analysis is carried out prior to any new vaccine being considered. This has a vital role in ensuring that care technologies, including vaccines, are used in a manner appropriate to their ability to maximise health gain and achieve value for money. The NIAC has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Bexsero in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of Bexsero in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease. I have sought a report from the HSE concerning the recent cases in Cavan and Westmeath.