I am conscious that we are joined by the Minister of Health. Both he and the Tánaiste will be aware that hyperemesis is an excruciating and debilitating condition experienced by 1% of women and people experiencing pregnancy. In a response to a parliamentary question I submitted, it was revealed this week that 3,304 hospitalisations occurred last year through women experiencing this condition. Cariban is one step in the treatment plan for this condition that alleviates some of the excruciating suffering. It is not available on the drugs treatment plan or through the medical card. This matter has been raised on numerous occasions. I ask for an update on when Cariban will be made available free of charge, I hope, on the drugs treatment plan and, if not, through the medical card scheme. This could alleviate the suffering of thousands of women each year.

I fully agree with the Deputy. This issue has been raised with me previously and we are working with the Department of Health on it. We do not have exact dates but it is being looked at very closely for the reasons the Deputy has quite rightly raised. I will ask the Department to revert to him with a note on it shortly.