asked the Minister for Health if he can estimate the number of severe epileptics in Ireland who are not in hospitals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Epileptics Not In Hospitals.
69.
It is estimated that about five per 1,000 of the population suffer from epilepsy, the majority of whom are able to lead normal lives. I am not in a position to give the precise position regarding the number of severe epileptics in Ireland who are not in hospitals.
Would the Minister give special consideration to having a survey carried out with a view to ascertaining how many epileptics there are outside hospital?
I wonder is that possible?
Would there not be any record at all of them?
I suppose I could get a figure for them if I asked every doctor to extract certain information.
(Cavan): Surely the figure is available by looking at the numbers applying for free drugs?
In some cases that would not apply.
(Cavan): Would there not be free drugs available in every case?
Not necessarily. Many epileptic people would not apply at all.
(Cavan): I am sorry. I was mixing them up with diabetics.
Many of them would not apply at all.