Yesterday, I raised the issue of cuts to the provision of post-mastectomy bras and prosthesis to breast cancer patients. I am pleased to say those cuts have been reversed. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for her intervention on this. However, there is still the outstanding issue of wigs and other hair loss solutions for cancer and other patients, for example, those who are suffering from alopecia. I have a memo from the HSE dated 25 January which states that the new procedure considers that hair loss solutions, including wigs, etc., are cosmetic rather than medical devices and that such items would not normally be provided by the health service.

While there is some recognition for short-term supports for cancer patients, there is nothing for those experiencing longer-term hair loss due to cancer or alopecia. Women are very sensitive and embarrassed about this issue. I ask the Tánaiste to try to intervene. This is for medical card holders only.

I introduced the breast cancer provision in 2001 in which we made allocations so I was a bit taken aback yesterday. I am glad the situation has been sorted and clarified. There is no loss of service in that respect. That is the way it should be. There are Department of Social Protection grants, I understand, for wigs and other hairpieces for specific issues. For the first time this year, we provided an extra €3 million for cancer support centres and various organisations, such as ARC, which were traditionally funded primarily through fundraising. We have created dedicated funding for them. We need to do more in the years to come but we have at least established that. A lot of cancer patients get good support at such centres. We will continue to examine the issue. On the issue of care versus-----

Alopecia.

-----material, the argument the HSE gave back has been a long-running thread of debate within the health services for a long time.