Vol. 465 No. 2
89 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign being conducted by the Irish ME support group; whether he is supportive of the campaign to encourage more detailed medical investigation into the causes and possible cures for myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9370/96]
Limerick East): I have not been approached by the ME support group regarding this matter. However, last year, officials of my Department met representatives of an organisation representing people with ME, the Irish ME trust, regarding their concerns relating to increasing awareness of ME and research into its causes.
People with ME can avail of services provided in the normal course of health service provision through the health boards. A general practitioner provides personal, primary and continuing care to individual patients and families. In relation to medical conditions generally, including ME, a general practitioner will be concerned with prevention and anticipatory care as well as an effective response to illness and patient rehabilitation. As agreed with the ME Trust at the meeting last year, the Department gave the Irish College of General Practitioners for circulation to its members detailed information provided by the Trust on this disorder.
Health research is carried out under the aegis of the Health Research Board which has an open invitation policy regarding applications for research funding and allocates its resources annually according to the priorities it attaches to the various requests received. Organisations, such as the ME support group, seeking to fund research, should contact the Health Research Board.
