I thank the Chairman and the committee for inviting me to appear here today. I propose to make a short presentation outlining how I believe this committee can assist polio survivors in Ireland. The committee has already been introduced to my two colleagues. If I relate my own experience it will clearly show what has been happening to those who had polio as children. I contracted polio when I was four and I was totally paralysed. After gradual recovery I was eventually able to walk unaided. I only started school at the age of nine. When I was 18 years of age I attended UCD and was awarded a diploma in radiotherapy. I then worked as a radiographer for three years but had to give it up owing to severe fatigue and other physical symptoms. I now recognise I was at that time suffering the onset of the late effects of polio. While I was unable to undertake further study or training and could get only low-paid employment in an office, I nonetheless continued to work for 40 years. I was, however, unable to afford VHI or pension contributions and was fobbed off for many years by the medical profession when I sought answers to my problems. In the initial stage of my illness I had to use a stick, then a caliper, crutches, then two calipers, all of which were purchased at my own expense. When I could no longer get on a bus — before the introduction of low-floor buses — I managed to buy a car with the assistance of the primary medical certificate. As I accepted each of these aids, my working life was prolonged. In 1995 I purchased a manual wheelchair and in 2003 I purchased a powered wheelchair. My story is typical of those which pertain to a polio survivor suffering the late effects of polio.
I helped found the Post Polio Support Group in the early 1990s to provide advice, assistance and support to Irish polio survivors suffering the late effects of polio. Current membership of the group exceeds 600. The late effects of polio, a disabling condition which affects polio survivors, often start decades after polio is initially contracted. The late effects of polio/post polio syndrome were internationally recognised by the medical profession in the late 1980s.
The Post Polio Support Group commissioned a professional survey entitled Polio — the Late Effects Reality. Members' ages range from 30 years to 80 years, most of whom contracted polio in the late 1940s and 1950s. Having achieved a successful life in many respects and having participated in the social and economic life of this country, they have now been hit a second time by the late effects of polio, a cruel and debilitating blow.
The focus of the Post Polio Support Group has been, since its foundation, to assist polio survivors to live with as much independence and dignity as possible. These people want to stay in employment and to live in their homes and communities for as long as is possible. In this regard, we have worked with Departments and their agencies to address the medical, housing and other needs of polio survivors. People with disabilities have a lower standard of living than others on equivalent incomes. This arises because of the extra cost of living associated with their disabilities. We are heartened that a cost-of-disability payment is being discussed and that the Minister for Finance is being encouraged to introduce such a payment in the forthcoming budget.
The Post Polio Support Group is concerned about the financial situations of polio survivors not in receipt of Department of Social and Family Affairs benefits based purely on diagnosis of their condition. While they can take advantage of various assistance schemes, they must meet the same qualifying criteria as other members of the general public and, for this reason, many do not qualify.
We are concerned about the social isolation of polio survivors and its link to lack of mobility. We know that the cost of travel, where appropriate transport is available, militates against taking up employment. We believe that access to the free travel scheme would greatly assist polio survivors in playing their full part as citizens of this State. We are deeply concerned about our members as they face the winter and the cost of oil, gas and electricity soars. Increased intolerance to cold is a symptom of the late effects of polio and as such access to the free fuel scheme would greatly assist our members to meet their heating needs.
We have come here today to ask that this committee act as an advocate on behalf of polio survivors. I respectfully request that it ask the Department if it has any understanding of the ongoing serious hardship being endured by our members. The committee might also ask what practical and effective steps the Department will take to alleviate our members' difficulties. We are not asking for much. We are a finite group and there will be no ongoing cost to the Exchequer, as vaccination programmes continue virtually to eliminate this illness in Ireland. The State has generally not supported people with the late effects of polio.
The Post Polio Support Group has sought inclusion in the long-term illness scheme and the medical card scheme but this has not been forthcoming despite recognition of the special and unique position of polio survivors. In this context, any additional supports by way of access to other schemes will go a considerable distance to help alleviate the suffering and hardship endured by many whose financial means are marginally greater than the relevant thresholds. Inclusion in the free transport scheme would help to reduce the isolation and changes in regard to the eligibility criteria for access to the free fuel allowance scheme would help address a specific need for survivors in the context of rising fuel costs.
Ours is a finite group. Effective vaccination ensures no one will suffer in the way we have. We look to members of the committee to ensure these issues will be vigorously pursued to assist this small group which has experienced so much disadvantage for so many years. Mr. Farrell, Mr. Hamilton and I will be happy to take questions.
