Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response to my question. I acknowledge the great strides being made on heart care in the State. I note the developments regarding this area as well. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, this condition is rapidly on the increase. It affects almost 150,000 people in the country. We need to be aware of it. Those affected have to endure physical constraints daily, and the psychological effects of having to live with that are immeasurable. There are also financial hardships associated with this condition, never mind the treatment of it, as Teresa O'Hanlon outlined in her contribution. This young lady was a schoolteacher who had to give up work because of this condition because she did not have the energy. As long as those three pillars are being addressed and we can see progress, I welcome it and I look forward to continued progress being made on this issue.