John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Health to clarify the situation regarding the brand new cystic fibrosis unit in St Vincent's University Hospital, the first designated cystic fibrosis unit for a nation with the world's highest incidence of this lethal genetic disorder. Over several years, when plans were being made to build a cystic fibrosis unit in the new block at St Vincent's University Hospital, it was intended to have 34 beds. Ms Orla Tinsley is well known to Members as a very brave young survivor of cystic fibrosis and a tireless advocate and campaigner for the rights of those with cystic fibrosis and for the health service in general. She appeared on a programme a year and a half ago and immediately before the programme went on air it was announced that the unit was being built and the contracts had been signed. Instead of the necessary 34 beds, the commitment was for 20 beds with a flexible provision that additional special rooms that could be isolated, washed and sterilised, which were not specifically designated for cystic fibrosis, would also be available in addition to the 20 ring-fenced beds. Ms Tinsley has written about this and spoke on the broadcast media yesterday.

This week, it transpires that she required inpatient care with a serious, potentially life-threatening, lung infection. The condition means the risk of acquiring additional infections if she is exposed to other patients is quite high. That is one of the reasons the isolation unit was developed. She was told the 20 beds were full and she was offered a shared four-bed ward. She found out that five other patients were at home waiting admission to the specialist unit. She was finally offered a nonspecialist, quasi-isolated bed in the old St Vincent's private hospital, which has been taken over by the St Vincent's University Hospital. While the room contained only one bed, the bathroom was shared and this was not a designated isolated room. The situation is unacceptable and it is terribly disappointing that, within four months of the opening of the long promised, long-awaited new unit, it is not fit for purpose in terms of its requirements. Perhaps the Minister can clarify this for us.

I ask the Leader to bring it to the attention of the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance a matter that could be, at this late stage, rectified in the budget. I refer to the absurd situation whereby sun creams and sun blocks are levied with VAT at 23%. They are charged the same rate of VAT as luxury cosmetic items. This takes place in a country where the incidence of malignant melanoma in the decade following 1998 doubled from 400 to 800 and the number of cases of fatal malignant melanoma virtually doubled from 100 to nearly 200, with every projection showing it is likely to continue on an upward trajectory at least through the next decade. We are genetically unsuited to sunny weather and designed by God to live under the grey misty skies of Ireland. We do not do well in the sun but we now know that we can protect ourselves against it. A critical component of this is wearing adequate sun protection and it is absurd that we are charging 23% VAT. I have suggested it should be brought to 0% and that sunblock and sun cream be considered medicinal products. Instead, a tax should be levied on sunbeds in the short term pending the banning of sunbeds. People can work out the arithmetic. What we receive from the VAT charged on sun creams should be charged as a tax on sunbeds to recoup the exact amount. I ask the Leader to bring these matters to the attention of the learned gentlemen.