Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Questions (581, 583, 588, 590, 628, 667)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

581. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the commitment he gave to the members of Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder that a paper would be put to Government urgently which would propose a package of supports to be put in place for those affected by the increased incidence of narcolepsy in children and adolescents here from 2009, connected to vaccination with Pandemrix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53842/12]

Finian McGrath

Question:

583. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding narcolepsy. [53854/12]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

588. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the date on which he plans to present the paper outlining the package of supports being put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy associated with the vaccine Pandemrix; the reason for the delay in the presentation of the paper prior to Dáil Éireann summer recess, again in September 2012 and once again this October; when will he re-establish communication with SOUND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53893/12]

Gerry Adams

Question:

590. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when will a proposal be put to Dáil Éireann setting out a package of supports for those who developed narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix; the reason for the delay in bringing the proposal to Dáil Éireann and when will he re-establish meaningful contact with SOUND [53897/12]

Joe Higgins

Question:

628. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health when the paper outlining details of a proposed package of supports for sufferers of narcolepsy will be published [54119/12]

Seán Kyne

Question:

667. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health when he hopes to announce the support the State will be providing to those children who have been identified by the final report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee as being adversely affected by the incidence of narcolepsy as a result of a side effect of the Pandemrix vaccine administered for the H1N1 flu virus, otherwise known as Swine 'Flu, particularly as the announcement of supports has been delayed on account of a number of factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54449/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 581, 583, 588, 590, 628 and 667 together.

I am committed to bringing a Memorandum to Government setting out the full response to the issue. My Department is considering all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected. Any such supports require my approval and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. A further meeting with representatives from SOUND will be arranged when the matter has been concluded. The Health Service Executive continues to provide a range of supports and services to those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. The Department of Education and Skills also provides appropriate educational supports at all levels of education.