Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on rare diseases. I would like to welcome the commitment by the Minister to enhance the care and treatment for the more than 300,000 people in Ireland living with rare diseases. Efforts to expand screening of newborns with the new heel prick test is particularly welcome. I know that the new national rare disease plan is being developed by the national rare disease steering group. This includes advocacy groups, medical practitioners, the HSE, and the Department of Health. I look forward to examining the plan and an engaging with stakeholders when the plan has been completed.

Finally, I would like to join with my colleagues and be associated with their remarks, particularly those made by Deputies Padraig O’Sullivan and Lahart. They have done much work to raise this issue in this Dáil term. They have been consistent advocates for it in this House. Deputy O'Sullivan referenced Debra Ireland and I also want to acknowledge the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in relation to that organisation. It is important that we look at those challenges, particularly regarding infants. We look forward to the report of the working group.

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