Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

First, I want to speak on spina bifida. The association's requests are well justified and I hope that the committee can further pursue the issues, particularly the filling of the post. I have a particular and special interest in fibromyalgia and that is why I am here today. If truth be known, I could probably answer all of the questions that have been asked but I will not do so - that is why the group is here. However, I want to make a number of points.

The issue of early intervention is something that needs the attention of the Department. As Mr. Maher correctly pointed out, people are sent from pillar to post, in some cases for up to three or four years, before they are diagnosed. That has serious consequences and creates difficulties for sufferers, both in the physical and mental state. By the time they are diagnosed, they are very far down the road and recovery is much more difficult. As part of what the association is doing in requesting for this to be listed as a long-term illness with the Department, it should also request resources for early diagnosis.

General practitioners, unfortunately, as is the case with every patient who presents himself or herself to a general practitioner's clinic, have probably five to ten minutes to give to him or her, and this illness cannot be diagnosed in five to ten minutes. It takes a long time to diagnose it. It takes a person to be sent in the right direction. There are some excellent rheumatologists in this country who can diagnose fibromyalgia.

There is an argument, which has been put up by the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, that people are using this as a way of going on to long-term illness. There is a specific diagnosis for this illness. It can be diagnosed quickly by the correct person. We need to ensure that such is put in place for everybody who presents with the symptoms to his or her general practitioner.

While I commend the spina bifida organisation on its ability to organise at national level and to get recognition, this organisation, Fibromyalgia Sufferers of Ireland, FSI, is embryonic. FSI has not yet got official recognition. It needs to get official recognition and it needs official supports. These people are trying to do it off their own bat. I welcome that the committee has agreed to write to the relevant Minister and the Department for this to be officially recognised as a long-term illness, but I would also call for the supports that are necessary. Those members of the delegation and the wider group cannot continue to provide these supports on a voluntary basis. They need official supports.

The other point I would make relates to early intervention. It is essential for sufferers to be diagnosed early on and for the resources to be put into that because in the longer term, it will save the State a great deal of money. If somebody is diagnosed early, he or she can live with this and continue to play a role in society in terms of the workplace. If he or she is not, unfortunately, as Mr. Maher outlined, there are consequences.

I thank Mr. Maher, Ms Bromley and the others who have come here today, and, indeed, those from Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland. I hope to meet my namesake, Mr. Peter Landy, for coffee later.