848. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); if the Government plans to expand access to medicinal cannabis for a larger scope of illnesses beyond what is currently offered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37665/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The clinical review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) has not yet commenced. Department of Health officials are currently working on membership of the review group, including a Chair. This is expected take several weeks following which the review can then commence.

The clinical review group will examine the findings of the Health Research Board’s (HRB) evidence synthesis publication to determine if there is sufficient evidence to expand the range of conditions covered by the MCAP. Recommendations will then be made to me as the Minister for Health as to whether sufficient evidence exists to include other conditions within the scope of the programme. It is too early at this stage to pre-empt what conditions the outcome of the review may recommend.