James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Arthritis is the greatest cause of disability in Ireland today, affecting one in every six people or 714,000 people, yet the Minister referred to the NTPF facilitating more than 2,500 patients, which puts this issue in perspective. The World Health Organisation recommends that Ireland should have one rheumatologist per 80,000 people but the reality is we have one per 400,000 people, which means patients must wait up to five years to see a rheumatologist.

In May 2006 the Minister established a working group on rheumatology. It was announced that the group would conduct a review of the provision of services for people with arthritis and publish a report outlining a comprehensive framework for the development of rheumatology services in Ireland. It was completed in 2008 but the report remains unpublished. When will it be published? What plans has the Minister to address this major shortfall in rheumatology services? How many new posts are planned? When will they be advertised? When will they be filled?

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