Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on these statements. As practising politicians, all of us encounter daily, and have done over the years, many people who suffer from fibromyalgia.

The difficulty people have is that they suffer from this condition but the doors are closed when they seek help. I refer to medical cards, disability supports and all of the avenues the State has open to it to support people with long-term debilitating illnesses. The World Health Organization, WHO, made its decision back in the 1990s. We are now facing into the 2020s and there has been no recognition of fibromyalgia by the State. People suffering from this condition who come to me must try to manage it medically and physically and when they seek help they find that fibromyalgia is not listed on the long-term illness scheme or recognised as a disability. That hurts them and makes their lives extremely difficult. They all want to fully participate in society and be out and about but this condition is holding them back. Fibromyalgia is not being recognised when people seek help from officialdom. It is almost as if the State is telling them that, from an official point of view, their condition does not exist. That is having a detrimental affect on their psychological and mental well-being.

Many of those who contact me looking for medical cards and disability allowances are very frustrated. They often have major medical expenses and low incomes. As my colleague stated, many people with this condition have to give up work at an early stage and take a career break or time off, which causes financial loss to households. All of that leads to individuals' self-worth being diminished and affects their inability to participate fully in society. They would love to be able to do that but this medical condition means they cannot do so.

We have had statements from Deputies from across the political spectrum who are willing to stand up and give the testimony of their constituents. We have heard the facts, including people who are frustrated by the system contacting Deputies. We have been told those people have made appeals to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Many Members have sat in front of appeals officers and explained what their constituents are suffering from and how debilitating fibromyalgia is. The issue is that officialdom is not recognising the condition.

The Minister of State has to do two things when she responds. She must declare that the State and Departments will recognise fibromyalgia as a long-term illness and she must indicate that any and all medical and financial supports will be provided to the individuals in question. Their suffering is being compounded by not having full recognition of fibromyalgia. It is long past time such recognition was given. We can have all the debates we want. The reality, however, is that people's suffering will continue if the Minister of State is not in a position to state that fibromyalgia is a long-term debilitating illness. Those who suffer from the condition should have access to the supports that are available to those who suffer from other classified illnesses. They should not have to fight for their entitlements.

It is difficult enough for people to accept they have this condition without having to fight for help and support from the State. Every one of those people will say that one of the biggest problems they face is having to fight repeatedly for their rights. It is one of the issues they feel low about. I am asking the Minister of State to take cognisance of the contributions from across the political spectrum. We must support people suffering from fibromyalgia and recognise they are fully entitled to whatever supports the State can provide.

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