Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013
38. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the supports he has provided and will provide to persons who contracted narcolepsy as a result of being vaccinated by the flu vaccine Pandemrix; if he will provide a full medical card in each case, access to international medical expertise, access to new drug treatments where appropriate, the official recognition of narcolepsy as a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40037/13]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that addressing the health needs of those affected by narcolepsy, with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination, continues to be a priority for my Department. This includes consideration of all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those diagnosed. I, along with officials of my Department continue to work closely with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that a range of supports and services are available to address the needs of this group.
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for health service delivery, and at my request, have developed a range of measures including access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, and reimbursement of expenses incurred. This includes expenses for counselling services for individuals and also for families of children affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination, in cases where such services are not already availably through the HSE. Medical Cards have been provided to all those diagnosed and in line with the legislation and protocols these are required to be reviewed periodically.
Multi-disciplinary assessment which allow for appropriate individualised health and educational supports are ongoing. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.
There are a number of definitions of disability that are used for particular purposes (e.g Disability Act, Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act, Equal Status Act, Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004, the Census, and qualifying criteria for income supports such as Domiciliary Care Allowance, disability allowance etc). These definitions define disability in terms of an individual's functional ability in their environment rather than medical diagnosis or condition.
