Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On policy, how is the relationship between the delegates' organisations and the Department in coming up with policy initiatives for people engaging with the services they offer when one takes the money and contracts out of the equation? I refer specifically to people with epilepsy who may not drive. Epilepsy Ireland previously contacted me on this issue. Such persons do not receive a travel pass. Particularly in rural Ireland, people often take the risk of driving a car because they cannot otherwise go to work, operate their tractor, etc. As a medical professional, I am concerned that it could have serious consequences if the person has a seizure. When the delegates go to the Department about an issue such as this, for people with epilepsy who have a long-term illness card and, as such, receive their medication for free, how are such initiatives responded to? Leaving aside the money and contract and, rather, focusing on their expertise, how does the Department and the HSE engage with the delegates? Are they just dismissed?