Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Kyne for giving me the opportunity to speak to the issues around meningitis awareness and the supports provided. I am acutely conscious of some families that were recently bereaved, including the family of a beautiful young girl in my constituency. As I speak here today, I am very conscious of the families left behind.

The HSE has recently investigated a number of cases of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. Meningitis is a serious illness involving inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a variety of different germs, mainly bacterial infections and viruses. Bacterial meningitis, identified in recent cases, is less common but usually more serious than viral meningitis and requires urgent treatment with antibiotics. Bacterial meningitis may be also be accompanied by septicaemia or blood poisoning. These bacteria live naturally in the nose and throat of normal healthy persons without causing illness. The illness occurs most frequently in young children and adolescents, usually as isolated cases. Bacterial meningitis or septicaemia requires urgent antibiotic treatment.

In Ireland, most meningococcal infections occur in winter and early spring. Meningococcal disease may occur at any age but sporadic infection is most common in infancy and early childhood, with a second smaller peak of incidence in adolescents and young adults. The HSE advises that if people have any concerns, they should contact their GP in the first instance but ensure that medical expertise is sought quickly.

Vaccination plays a central role in disease prevention. The meningococcal B vaccine and the meningococcal C vaccine are offered to children in Ireland as part of the primary childhood immunisation programme. Protection against meningococcal C disease reduces over time so a booster dose is recommended for children in first year of secondary school, and age equivalent special school and home-schooled students, to provide additional protection against meningococcal C disease. It is vital that parents check that their children are up to date regarding the recommended vaccinations.

The HSE raises awareness around the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and the importance of children receiving the available recommended meningococcal vaccines to protect them from the most common meningococcal disease in Ireland. World Meningitis Day takes place annually to help raise awareness around the disease. This year's event took place on 5 October.

I take on board the Senator's point about Act for Meningitis. We are all in agreement. I know it is a decision everyone makes for themselves but vaccination is so important. As children grow older, we have to be aware of the symptoms that can present. I have heard of Act for Meningitis. I will look into the reasons the organisation has been unsuccessful on so many occasions with regard to funding.It is very hard to raise funds. Many organisations were very good at raising funds prior to Covid-19 but it has really challenged them recently. Sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004 provide for the HSE to provide funding for agencies to deliver services on its behalf. There is, therefore, a funding stream in place. That includes funding across a range of care areas including a number of organisations that provide bereavement support services to families. All these details are available on the HSE website. I take on board the Senator's point, however. These recent cases frightened many people; they are worried. People want a dedicated source of information at which they can look. I will certainly raise the issue with regard to Act for Meningitis.