James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I respect the Deputy's interest in this area, one in which I have considerable experience as a GP. I was attached to St. Ita's Hospital where many of the patients in the intellectual disability service had this problem. I realise how much it limits people's lives and interferes with their ability to work and understand that, above all else, good control of the condition can lead to quality of life, while poor control can destroy the quality of somebody's life. I will endeavour in every way I can to expedite the provision of this important service. However, I know this has been an issue for some time. I also know that the Deputy was part of the last Government at a time of plenty and the issue was not addressed then. While I will do everything I can with the limited resources I have available, it is only right to remind Members that when Fianna Fáil was in power, the issue was not addressed.

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