John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending and for what they have shared with us this morning. My interest in being in the Seanad, and thankfully I manage to do so, was to represent the interests of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. This week has been designated Brain Awareness Week, which focuses on the fact that almost 800,000 people suffer from neurological conditions and whatever. Therefore, this debate is timely. I recall, and my recollection dates back nearly 20 years, somebody saying that one third of the people who suffered a stroke died, one third of them escaped and one third of them were left with a legacy. Can the witnesses give me a breakdown of the current statistics? I think fewer people die from strokes at present so more people will be in the category of being left with a legacy.

Some Members of the Oireachtas had an opportunity the week before last to listen to a presentation made by a man called Mr. Martin Quinn. He suffered a stroke when he was in his early 50s and he talked about the frustrations he experienced when dealing with the health system, the economic impact of a stroke, the impact it has on family life, etc.

He mentioned that a stroke nurse had left the local hospital in Clonmel, County Tipperary and not been replaced. Is there an issue with gaps when a practitioner such as a nurse, doctor or allied health professional leaves a post or goes on maternity leave? If so, to what extent and what impact does it have?

On people with disabilities and the question of comorbidity, sadly, many people with Down's syndrome get Alzheimer's disease early. It is welcome that people with disabilities are living longer, as are those in the general population, but it will lead to issues with comorbidity. Are more preventive measures needed? What are the issues in that regard?

As regards the determinants of prevention in terms of early intervention, what assets that are not included in the health Vote could be of assistance in the taking of hard or soft measures that would affect people's lives? I do not wish to ask a leading question, but it is great that certain potential problems are not issues in the lives of some people. They are not clinical issues, but they can be of help or hinder in the outside environment.

When I was young, I thought having a stroke was almost a rite of passage for grandparents. I began working with the Irish Wheelchair Association in 1980 and remember that a woman in her early 20s had a stroke. I could not believe a young person could have a stroke. The level of awareness is changing in that regard, but to what extent is stroke an issue for young people and what are the implications? Such persons have many years of life ahead of them and their normal expectations are more or less dashed.

I thank the delegates for being very strong and clear in their focus on people's lives, that it is not just about patching people up but, rather, their being able to have a life and relationships. I again thank the delegates and apologise that I had to leave the meeting for a time.