Today the Minister for Health will hold briefings on the roll-out of the compassionate access programme for those who need cannabis-based oil for medical and clinical purposes. I commend Deputy Gino Kenny and many others who campaigned for this, as well as the Minister for Health who took the issue on board and progressed it. Several weeks ago in the Chamber Deputy Gino Kenny raised the case of the Stephens family in Waterford who must import cannabis-based oil for their daughter Cassie. They must travel to Holland to purchase the oil and pay for the costs of the flights. They are one of 21 families who have a licence to do so. They have been supported by Cassie’s consultant in University Hospital Waterford and her GP. She used to have many seizures, but they have reduced as a consequence of the cannabis-based oil treatment. It is one of several treatments she receives, but it complements them. However, the family have not been reimbursed one single cent. Four of the 21 families in question have been reimbursed but not the Stephens family. They have spent €9,000 so far, but they cannot afford to spend any more. They are now borrowing money. Will the Taoiseach personally look into the issue to see what can be done to support the family? I welcome the moves made by the Minister for Health today. However, the Stephens family need support. Will the Taoiseach personally intervene to ensure they will receive the reimbursements they are due?

The Deputy will appreciate the limitations I am under when it comes to responding to questions about individual cases. I imagine the Deputy is aware that it would be illegal for the Minister for Health to give a direction to the HSE in a particular individual case. There is a reimbursement system in place. I have been advised that the following steps have to be completed when it comes to reimbursement. The patient’s consultant must be satisfied that all therapeutic options have been exhausted and prepared to accept responsibility for the monitoring of the patient’s response, side effects, etc. A prescriber applies to the Minister for a ministerial licence. If it is granted, the consultant completes an individual reimbursement form, setting out the therapeutic benefit for the patient. It must be completed in sufficient detail for the therapeutic benefit to be demonstrated. Thereafter, an individual reimbursement form is considered by the Medicines Management Programme, MMP. Following a review of the documentation, the MMP makes a recommendation to the HSE in favour of or against reimbursement support for the patient and of the patient's eligibility and informs the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, PCRS, of that recommendation. That is the process by which somebody can apply for reimbursement. I cannot say why reimbursement may be refused in an individual case. I hope this information is of some help to the Deputy.