Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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196. To ask the Minister for Health the reason cancer survivors with medical cards in the Cork and Kerry region are not given a yearly supply of prosthesis and special support underwear as survivors in other regions are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20459/14]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) concerning breast cancer patients in counties Cork and Kerry. [20592/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 207 together.

All women who have had breast cancer surgery are entitled to their first prosthesis and two bras free of charge. A set policy is not in place in regard to the longer-term provision of bras to post-mastectomy patients who hold medical cards. A national group has recently been established in the HSE to review practices in this area and to develop a national policy on the provision of prosthesis bras, as well as hairpieces, for cancer patients. It is anticipated that the Group will complete its work in the first half of 2015.