Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan and the Technical Group for using Private Members' business to give us the opportunity to discuss the report on stroke and stroke victims, which is the most important health issue facing Ireland both now and in the years to come. I especially thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for the way she introduced the motion agreed on both sides of the House in order to allow the debate to focus on the issue. All too often in this Chamber it becomes a case of the Government versus the Opposition rather than debating a real issue. I have no doubt that contributors tonight will continue in the same vein as the speakers last night and talk about what can be done to bring stroke victims back to full health. I am delighted the motion is being discussed in the format we see tonight.

I congratulate the Irish Heart Foundation on its work on prevention and public awareness, as well as its report on the cost of stroke in Ireland. The report estimated that the economic burden of a stroke in Ireland in 2007 was between €472 million and more than €1 billion. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people a year will suffer from strokes, 2,000 of which will be fatal. I have personal experience from my family and I have no doubt that Members on all sides will understand the effect of stroke suffered by a grandparent, aunt, uncle or parent. The number of young victims of stroke is of concern. I recently heard of a man in his early 30s who had suffered a stroke with all the associated consequences he must endure for the rest of his life.

Much can be done from having this debate in a very amicable and parliamentary way. While I know it is the Opposition's job to criticise the Government, the Government can only use the resources available to it. All aspects of the health service cost money. The previous Deputy spoke about reconfiguration. I have no doubt that whenever reconfiguration is happening in any county the primary responsibility is the care of the patient. I understand how difficult it is for Deputies when hospital services are being relocated away from their constituencies. Angry constituents approach Deputies who need to bring their anger to the Chamber and to the attention of the Minister. My county is very lucky to have a facility such as St. John's Hospital in Enniscorthy. I would love to see it double its bed capacity and have a multidisciplinary approach with more staff - occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists - to be able to help stroke victims. However, we need to stick within the resources available to the Minister, Deputy Reilly, for the health service.

We all have a role to play in looking after our own health. Deputies will have seen the television programme "Operation Transformation". The Minister, Deputy Reilly, spoke about calories in food etc., all of which have a very important part to play in people's healthy living. People engaged in healthy living and taking exercise in their 20s and 30s will not fall victim to stroke later in life.

Family members giving care to stroke victims are the unsung heroes. While there are care assistants who receive remuneration, many people receive no monetary benefit from looking after a patient in the family home. It could be the wife, son or daughter. It would cost the State considerably more money without the care they give in their own homes.

I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for bringing this important motion to the House.

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