Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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29. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the availability of ketogenic diets for children with particular reference to availability in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28325/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The ketogenic diet is used in the treatment of intractable epilepsy (as per NICE Guidance Ketogenic Diet and other Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy 2016) and metabolic disorders including glutathione 1 deficiency. This is a highly specialised service at Cork University Hospital, requiring specific training and experience, and currently provided to a small number of patients.

Following retirement of one dietician, the HSE has advised that a suitably qualified replacement has not yet been secured. In the meantime, the service is currently being covered by another dietician at Cork University Hospital. Cork University Hospital has also supported the training of three dieticians to deliver backup service for this treatment and, once completed, this will allow for a small number of additional cases to be treated. It is understood that a Business Case is being developed for an additional ketogenic dietician post at the hospital. As with all service requirements, this will be considered in the context of the Estimates process.