Officials of my Department, including the chief medical officer, have met representatives of the Irish ME Trust, both this year and last year. The Department's chief medical officer has pointed out the limitations on the health care system's ability to provide a full range of services for those who are already diagnosed with CFS-ME. These limitations are the same as for those who suffer from other chronic diseases. The allocation of resources needs to be based on priority health needs and on evidence as to what interventions are seen to be most effective in combating these conditions. It is difficult in the current circumstances to identify funding to establish specialised units for CFS-ME sufferers.
In view of the meetings which have taken place, I do not believe a departmental liaison person needs to be appointed as suggested by the Irish ME Trust. However, I wish to assure the Deputies that my Department will continue to keep the issue of providing services for CFS-ME sufferers under review, taking account, in particular, of the experience of initiatives in other countries.