Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
547. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the level of support for people with muscular dystrophy in Ireland in relation to universal design within higher education institutions; if the Department has any up-to-date data or figures on the number of people in Ireland living with muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10035/24]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that Higher Education Institutions do not fall within my remit as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. However, I am aware that the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is providing funding for Universal Design under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH).
As this question regarding numbers of people with muscular dystrophy refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
