Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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642. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects an inquiry will be established to investigate the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate to pregnant women without them being made aware of the impacts it could have on their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45107/21]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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644. To ask the Minister for Health when the stakeholder group consisting of representatives of those involved in the treatment of women with epilepsy will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45109/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 644 together.

Details of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland, and of the stakeholder group referred to by the Deputy, are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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643. To ask the Minister for Health when the six epilepsy nurse specialists will be recruited for the pregnancy prevention programme to help ensure pregnant women are fully informed of the side effects of sodium valproate given that to date only two of these nurses have been put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45108/21]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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645. To ask the Minister for Health when the community operations programme will commence which was agreed in 2018 as part of a range of services that were to be put in place for families who were caring for children impacted by exposure to sodium valproate and to date no family has availed of such service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45110/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 645 together.

As these questions relate to operational and service matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly.