Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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395. To ask the Minister for Health if officials of his Department have met officials of the State Claims Agency to discuss and request the possibility of a non-adversarial approach to dealing with the 65 pending civil actions in the courts from persons who received the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine in 2010 and since that have been suffering from narcolepsy and other side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22368/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I cannot comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation but I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain.

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 (SCA) on 15 October 2013 when the Taoiseach signed the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013.  This reflects the greater experience and expertise that the State Claims Agency has in the area of medical litigation.  

I have been informed by the Agency that the cases are before the courts in relation to the management of discovery in the lead case.  It would not be appropriate to interfere in the courts case management of these claims.

I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance on what further improvements can be made to the legal framework governing the management of medical negligence cases.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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396. To ask the Minister for Health if those suffering from side effects, particularly those with narcolepsy, following receipt of the Pandemrix influenza vaccine some years ago are receiving all the medical supports they need; if they have been granted full medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22369/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 affected.  The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services.  It is in regular contact with individuals affected.  Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.

The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to rapid diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessments.  Diagnosis of narcolepsy involves a specialised sleep study system which is currently only available in the Mater Private.  It is intended that diagnoses will be carried out in the Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy in St James Hospital. This service will combine a new patient referral system with access to expert consultant and advanced nursing expertise for clinical diagnosis, access to the latest neurophysiological diagnostic techniques with overnight and daytime monitoring for both in-patients and outpatients, laboratory testing, brain imaging and genetic testing.  The HSE will continue to pay for access to the services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers to so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.