Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a higher instance of persons with haemochromatosis in specific parts of the country; if so, the variation between the different HSE regions; if there are standard procedures throughout the country for the treatment of such persons in view of the fact that there are substantial costs for persons attending hospitals as outpatients that do not have a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45604/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Research indicates that approximately 1 in 83 people in Ireland are predisposed to develop hereditary haemochromatosis. The HSE does not hold a database of individuals with haemochromatosis and therefore is not in a position to provide information in relation to the prevalence of this condition across the country.

A statutory daily charge is levied where a person has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis. Where venesection is classed as a day case procedure, and is not carried out in an out-patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies. Medical card holders are exempt from this charge.

Also, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) operates a haemochromatosis clinic in the Stillorgan Blood Donation Clinic and sees approximately 600 patients there annually. The IBTS has also commenced provision of a programme for hereditary haemochromatosis patients in their D'Olier Street, Dublin and St. Finbar's Hospital, Cork clinics. These clinics provide phlebotomy free of charge to patients who have a prescription from their treating clinician.