Healthcare Policy
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-16
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Joe O'Reilly (FG), Labour Panel

While I appreciate the support that is available, Addison's disease a particular challenge because the medication involved is not simply therapeutic. It replaces hormones that are essential for life.
The question before us is not how many people are affected; the question is whether people whose health depends entirely on lifelong hormone replacement therapy are receiving adequate support from the State. People living with Addison's disease do not have the option of stopping treatment. Their medication is required every day for life. Ensuring reliable access to that treatment protects patients, helps to prevent avoidable medical emergencies and reduces pressure on our hospitals.
I ask the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill to review this situation, to examine it once again and to look at it on equitable grounds. I do not mean to diminish any other condition when I say that this condition is grievous and is among the very serious conditions. It presents equal challenges, if not even more challenges, to some illnesses already listed. I hope the Minister of State can convey that to the Minister so this can be reformed into the future. It is something we cannot avoid looking at.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-16