Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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447. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medicinal cannabis licences that have been issued to date in 2018. [47139/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Eighteen Ministerial licences for medical cannabis-based treatment have been issued during 2018, in relation to twelve individual patients.

Medical practitioners and patients are encouraged to consult the Department of Health website which contains information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence for medical cannabis. This information can be found on the Department of Health's website.

It is important to note that the decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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448. To ask the Minister for Health if medicinal cannabis licences have been issued to women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal or for the treatment of cervical cancer or related illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47140/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To date Ministerial licences have been granted for medical cannabis-based treatments for twelve individual patients.

The Department can not disclose the clinical circumstances of individual patients who are the subject of Ministerial licences.