Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his commitment to try to ensure that people suffering from this debilitating illness may have a better quality of life. It is very important for us to develop a national strategy to tackle Crohn's disease and colitis, as they have a devastating impact on the everyday lives of increasing numbers of people. I mentioned the 450 children in Ireland with colitis, and that represents a 90% increase in cases in children between 2002 and 2012. That is absolutely shocking. We need to have a strategy to deal with the issue.

A survey was conducted that identified the following key gaps in services to patients, which is very important. These are a lack of specialist inflammatory bowel disease nurses, lengthy waiting times for diagnostic tests and a lack of access to gastroenterology specialists and psychological services. I ask the Minister to take note of that and I wish him continued good health in dealing with the matter.

Today is Lá Fhéile Bríde and I wish a happy day to everybody.

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