Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is encouraging. The support to access existing funding pots while the scoping exercise is under way is welcome. The ILFA appeared at the health committee in April and has made a request to meet the Minister. Its asks include: additional financial supports for patients; consideration of tax rebates and grants - I welcome the Minister mentioning the latter; State funding for ILFA programmes, which I am sure will be included in the scoping exercise; and the streamlining of the oxygen provision system. If the ILFA engages with the HSE, it can look at achieving efficiencies in the oxygen provision system and getting it to patients. It is also seeking the establishment of a dedicated interstitial lung disease clinical care programme to improve diagnosis and access to healthcare supports. This is a very good organisation and I acknowledge Matt Cullen, a friend of mine, who is one of its patient advocates and has advocated very strongly on their behalf. I welcome the Minister's response and hope the ILFA will see progress in those areas.

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