In June of this year, the HSE agreed to make the drug Spinraza available for children with spinal muscular atrophy, SMA. Three weeks ago a number of colleagues raised the matter on the floor of the House because there was concern that none of the 25 children had received the drug. We had anticipated that we might get a note subsequently. The question remains the same. How many of those 25 children are receiving the drug and when will the remaining children get access to it?

I thank the Deputy. He has taken a particular interest in the Spinraza issue and has also spoken to me about boy called Sam on a number of occasions. I will get the Deputy a note because there has been some progress in this regard. As he knows and as I would have informed the House previously, it did require putting in place some quite complex service arrangements in respect of the 27 children, as I think the figure is now, who qualify clinically for the drug. I can tell the Deputy that the drug has started to be administered to children and there are a number of scheduled appointments during this month as well. All children who are clinically eligible will receive it. I believe there has been contact between the HSE and the SMA executive group, the parents' group. I will make sure there has been and will send the Deputy a written note.