John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy McHugh for giving us all in the House the opportunity to deal with a very real issue. In his closing comments, the Deputy asked for solidarity. There is no doubt in my mind, having spoken to my colleagues, that solidarity is forthcoming from this side of the House. I respect the point made by Deputy Connaughton that the House will have to divide when this debate concludes. That is procedural and will not, in any way, stop us from continuing to give support to Deputy McHugh, to parents and others who are dealing with a very difficult situation in looking after their boys.

This debate is creating awareness. It is an issue that concerns constituents of ours all around the country. Like other speakers, I only became aware of this condition when parents visited me and asked for help and support. One area in which we can help is to deal with the inconsistency in the HSE in different parts of the country. Invariably, if we hear debates on radio, we hear parents making the point that in some old health board areas support is forthcoming, but in others that is not always the case.

Deputy Devins called for the automatic entitlement to a medical card for such people, and I fully support that. When young boys are diagnosed with this condition, they should at the very least have an automatic entitlement to a medical card and their parents who, God knows, have a difficult enough cross to carry, should not have to present accounts and payslips and undergo the rigours of a means test. That is one measure which could be put in place very quickly. The numbers, thankfully, are small, but one is one too many, and this is one measure we could introduce to assist these parents.

In many instances parents will be forced to adapt their homes for their boys. I again ask the State to give support and make it easier for parents to avail of grant aid to have such work carried out. I respect the fact that we are living in a very difficult economic climate and I understand there are limits to our resources. We spend €16 billion annually on health services and, within that, we must have priorities. There is no better case for priority than those suffering from muscular dystrophy.

Another area where I have tried to assist parents is that of E112 forms for foreign travel. In many instances, we do not have the expertise here to treat these boys and they have to travel to England for treatment. The support should be automatic for these children to travel for diagnosis and for treatment. This is another way in which we could help.

I am concentrating on three or four practical issues that affect parents on a daily basis. I compliment Muscular Dystrophy Ireland on the tremendous work it does. It gives support to these parents when perhaps it is not always forthcoming from the State.

I also want to mention the Health Research Board, which could also offer support. It works with Muscular Dystrophy Ireland and many other groups and I welcome the funding for the continued research that is required to help extend the lives of sufferers. I hope we will soon see this disability being dealt with in a way in which lives can be saved.

I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. He is the line Minister for people with disabilities and is doing an excellent job because he is hands-on meeting different groups. I again appeal to him to give the required support to these sufferers.

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