Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. It would appear from the statistics that the diagnosis of the disease in those under three years of age is problematic. In the age cohort from three years to four years, the incidence of the disease shoots up from eight to 28 cases. From table 3, it would appear there is a problem with early diagnosis, which the witnesses have outlined as very important. I presume the lower incidence of the disease in the age cohort from 16 years onwards is related to the wave of immigration.

Would many immigrant families have a member with sickle cell disease who have had experience of treatment abroad? How would they compare the opportunity for treatment in their home countries with treatment in Ireland?