Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join others in wishing Tom Hickey all the best in his retirement and in the next stages of his life. I thank him for his courtesy and kindness over the years. I also join others in wishing the staff of the Seanad office all the best for the Christmas period and thank them for their work in these Houses. I also thank all the catering staff, House staff, usher staff and parliamentary staff who have kept the show on the road over the course of the last year.

Yesterday the Irish Heart Foundation and Croí made presentations to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health. Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death globally accounting for 33% of all deaths and one in five of premature deaths. It is the second leading cause of death in Ireland, with an average of 10,000 deaths per annum. Approximately 7,500 people each year have a stroke in Ireland. Stroke is the leading cause of acquired adult neurological disability in this country. Croí has pointed out that the rehabilitation programme is very important. A patient has an immediate rehabilitation programme emerging from acute hospital care. Individuals also require an essential network of co-ordinated supports to continue their recovery at home, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise, speech and language therapy and, critically, ongoing psychological support.

I welcome the advances, but we do not have an updated national cardiovascular health strategy. The last one concluded in 2019. I ask the Deputy Leader to contact the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to establish a new cardiovascular health strategy. It is imperative to provide that leadership. I commend the Irish Heart Foundation and Croí on the very important work they do on behalf of so many families across the country.