Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
701. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health how an organisation (details supplied) accesses the funding for a number of its services from his Department or the HSE as it is its first occasion to be granted funding and it does not have a direct line to a HSE clinical lead or departmental official; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42621/24]
View answer710. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health how an organisation (details supplied) will access allocated funding given the absence of a clinical lead for interstitial lung disease (lung fibrosis); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42652/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 701 and 710 together.
As the Deputy will recall, I met the Deputy and representatives from the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association to discuss their pre-budget submission to the Department of Health in September this year.
As part of Budget 2025, I was delighted to be able to provide funding of €0.5m for lung fibrosis. Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the HSE on how this funding can be best utilised to provide supports and services to lung fibrosis patients in Ireland.
I have also asked that a meeting be arranged with the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association to gather their views and to ensure that my Department, the HSE, and the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association work collaboratively to ensure this investment provides the most benefit to lung fibrosis patients and their families.
