John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. There is some welcome news there. If one is suffering with motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, Tourette syndrome or any neuromuscular disorder and is waiting for over 18 months for an appointment with a neurologist, that is very distressing, not just for the individual but for the family. On a political point, it is worth noting, and maybe the Minister will give credit where credit is due, though it is not a cause for smiles, just realpolitik, that the Government abolished the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Fianna Fáil, in the programme for facilitating this Government, asked the Government to reinstate it. The Government has reinstated it and is now telling us that it works, and that when money follows the patient, even in the case of neurology, it works. The Minister never says that publicly, and champions the NTPF as if it was his own invention and creation. Facilitation of government comes at some little price occasionally and I think credit should be given where it is due because it is a practical intervention that makes a difference to people's lives. The people I am talking about are those suffering from these neurological disorders who need interventions. The Minister has said the NTPF works and we would like to see more of it. The Minister did not answer the question relating to the appointment of additional neurologists to Tallaght Hospital.

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