On 20 September last, I raised the issue of Spinraza with the Tánaiste. It is a miracle drug that will give a future to 25 children and their families. Almost three months later, we are no further on in giving assurances to those families about the availability of Spinraza. I ask the Tánaiste, as deputy head of Government, to intervene and inject some urgency into this process. I acknowledge the work of my colleagues, Deputies Lisa Chambers and Curran, in consistently raising this issue. I ask the Tánaiste to inject some urgency into this process in order to give certainty and hope to the affected families this Christmas.

As the Deputy knows, a recommendation on the use of Spinraza must be made by the rare diseases technology review committee. My understanding is that the committee is unlikely to make a final recommendation on Spinraza until January. While I know that this is not what the families want to hear, I am just giving the Deputy the most accurate information available to me.