John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for the research that went into his reply and I await further developments in the area of rare diseases. I wish to state that vasculitis illnesses are not particularly rare when taken as a collective. There is a good imperative for giving priority to getting the specialist designation for centres of excellence within the hospital groups and to put in the resources which will enable patients to go through the system quickly for the benefit of their own lives and health as well as for the benefit of their families. We must remember that these patients, who require serious levels of medical care as a result of the disability caused by this illness, may also bring one or two family carers with them. It is good and humane medicine and social practice to get these systems up and running. It also makes good business sense.