Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1417. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of the inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63171/21]
View answer1418. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when the stakeholder group to assess and strengthen the risk-reduction measures associated with sodium valproate will be established; the steps which have been taken to establish the inquiry; if the various stakeholders have been contacted to take part in the stakeholder group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63172/21]
View answer1419. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when the four unfilled epilepsy nurse specialists which were agreed in 2018 for the implementation of the pregnancy prevention programme associated with sodium valproate will be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63173/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1417, 1418 and 1419 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.
The HSE recently submitted a request to the Department for four epilepsy nurse specialist posts to assist in the implementation of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme related to the use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing age. Department officials will consider this request to determine whether funding can be made available in 2022; however, it is also open to the HSE to consider funding these posts from within existing resources.
