Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Health if assistance can be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The details supplied indicate that the question concerns legal proceedings being managed by the State Claims Agency. As of 9 May 2018, legal proceedings against the Minister, the Health Services Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA have been initiated by seventy individuals.  The plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine.  The management of the cases transferred to the State Claims Agency on 15 October 2013 when the Taoiseach signed the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013. 

The Department of Health, the HSE, and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those who have received a diagnosis of narcolepsy following administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine.  These supports include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports.  HSE's Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services.