I propose to take Questions Nos. 1752 to 1754, inclusive, 1773, 1793, 1801, 1813 and 1845 together.
The current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Many European countries do not pay for food products under their Health Service Arrangements – the logic being that all persons need to buy food.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf . Separate application forms are available for children.
For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
In relation to the number of medical card holders in County Donegal that require gluten-free foods, the HSE’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service cannot provide this as it does not collate information on the type of illnesses/conditions associated with medical card holders.