Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for picking this Commencement matter. I welcome the Minister of State. It is great to see her back. Hopefully she will be back to flying form in the coming weeks and months.

I raise the issue of meningitis, meningitis awareness campaigns and supports for meningitis. Invasive meningococcal disease is the most common form of bacterial meningitis in Ireland, causing up to 90% of cases. The disease may present as meningitis, septicaemia or both. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which is the covering layer of the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is a form of blood poisoning cased by the same organism that causes meningitis. Early symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, stomach cramps and cold hands and feet. The HSE advises not to wait for a rash if someone is ill and getting worse, but to get medical help immediately. One in ten people may carry the bacteria. Carriage of the bacteria increases with age. It is typically followed by development of immunity. Peak carriage may occur in the 15-and-19-years age group, of whom 25% are carriers, but it is also highly prevalent in small babies and young children.

The impact meningitis can have on a family is tremendous. It impacts small children, babies and young adults typically at the start of their college years or whatever. It can be a sudden loss for those involved. It is important that there be national awareness campaigns at local level, at schools and universities and across society so people are aware of the disease, who is most impacted and the symptoms.Act for Meningitis is a national charity based in Galway. It aims to raise awareness and educate society about the signs and symptoms of meningitis, while offering free support services for those affected by the disease. These support services are tailored to the needs of the individual or the family to find the most appropriate and beneficial service for them. Act for Meningitis is a national charity, although it is based in Galway. It has been turned down for the scheme to support national organisations on nine occasions. It has applied to the HSE under different types of funding. It is so reliant on donations and events that impacted families might engage in. The support services it provides are hugely important for bereaved and impacted families. It needs a reliable source of funding to ensure its services continue. The organisation is 11 years in existence since last July. It has no sustainable income. Pre Covid, 68% of its income came from private fundraising and it is now down to 22%. It is looking for sustainable funding to ensure its valuable work in raising awareness nationally about this disease can continue, to keep the show on the road and provide supports for impacted families.