Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator McGreehan was very anxious that I would attend this morning and speak, if possible. Unfortunately, she cannot be here. First of all, I wish to express my thanks to all of our guests this morning. It is interesting to hear their comments and presentations. I am well aware, from people and groups I know, of the great work that Dr. Pender is doing.

I strongly support the comments of my colleague from the west, Deputy Seán Canney, in relation to the neurology department at University Hospital Galway, UHG. I was told there are four specialist nurses there and they probably need about 12 or 13. I was reading some documentation only last week about this from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland. It made a very good point that if we had the extra nurses there, it could be a cost efficient way of reducing waiting lists and dealing with hospital resources. Obviously, a consultation process may show that some of the people suffering with neurological issues do not need to be hospitalised. Therefore, if there were extra nurses to make contact with and to advise people in a certain way, it would be very helpful.

Dr. Pender might be the person best able to answer my next question, but I would welcome a comment from any of the witnesses. I know a number of people who are suffering from neurological conditions, particularly back pain, and they cannot get identified as a person with a disability. I am speaking not about people who have back pain for six weeks, but people who have intermittent back pain over many years. I know people who, owing to accidents, have artificial hips or knees. While for the rest of their lives they can live near normally, many of them suffer extraordinary pain. When it comes to a person being identified as a person with a disability, is there anything we can do to change the goalposts in that regard? I am sure all of our witnesses would agree that there are a number of people in Irish society who suffer continuous pain, much of it back pain, but they cannot access any of our disability services.

On the issue of ensuring that all people with disabilities can access public health services, as a public representative I meet many people who have a family member with a disability for whom they cannot access disability services. Some of them are entitled to those services. In fairness to the HSE and others, when one brings forward a case it is looked after. Why are some people falling through the cracks when they should be eligible as of right? I am sure my political colleagues have come across this issue as well. I would welcome comments from all of the witnesses on how we can ensure that people with disabilities across all groups can access public health services without having to seek the assistance of a politician? We do not mind helping people, but access should be there of right. People should not have to going looking for it. I again thank the witnesses for their presentations. I look forward to hearing their responses.