Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo the comments of Senator O'Loughlin. We, too, support the Garda but in any discussion everybody needs to be at the table to discuss matters. To be honest, it is disappointing to hear those comments.

I welcome the announcement today by the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, of multimillion euro funding for local improvement schemes throughout the country. Those of us from rural areas and counties, including the Leader, know the benefit of these schemes. There is a significant increase in the budget for them this year, with €900,000 announced in my home county. I welcome that and thank the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, for continuing to provide this funding.

There was a session in the audiovisual room the other day about functional neurological disorder, FND. It is a condition that is not commonly known or talked about. There are similarities between FND and autism in terms of their effects and the therapies used to treat people on the autism spectrum, for example, occupational therapy and other such therapies. However, no services are available for anybody who suffers from FND.

Based on figures from the UK, the number of people suffering from this disorder in Ireland is approximately 3,750. There are no services or interventions in place for them. I know of a number of families in my county with young teenagers who suffer from this. Costs were incurred by some families who travelled to the UK to get private treatment at an early stage to try to help their young children. As it happens, the expenditure is not refundable under the current scheme in place for people travelling abroad for health services. I ask for a discussion on FND and that we can bring to the attention of the Minister for Health the need to put in place a pilot scheme in the a hospital such as St. James's Hospital. I know some work has been done by a doctor based in that hospital, but there has not been significant support from the HSE. That needs to change. With many ailments and illnesses, early intervention is key. Where we can provide early intervention to youngsters with FND, we should do so but we first need to recognise the condition and provide supports through a pilot programme.