General Election 2024

In the lead up to the General elections, the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) is asking you to take action for patients with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD).

Background:  The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) has been advocating on behalf of patients with lung fibrosis for more than 20 years. While support from the HSE for patients has improved, there is much more work yet to be done.

Many ILD patients don’t receive adequate healthcare. ILFA, with the support of the Irish Thoracic Society, believes the standard of care must be improved. In July ILFA’s pre-budget submission requested State funding targeted toward the following priorities:

1. A tax rebate for patients on oxygen therapy to offset increased utility costs, and a streamlined oxygen reimbursement system.
2. A disease registry that would allow the State to better manage patient care.
3. Act on the HSE’s 2023 promise to resource a Care Pathway – a critical step in establishing a dedicated ILD Clinical Care Programme.
4. Stop excluding patients from community pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. These programmes are currently available only to COPD and asthma patients.

State Funding Granted!  In October, ILFA received word that €500,000 had been earmarked for lung fibrosis in Budget 2025. We are delighted to be notified of this historic award, and we are planning discussions with the Department of Health and the HSE to determine how this funding will be applied to best serve patient needs.

While we continue to use our political voice to pressure the HSE, our case is much stronger coming from those directly affected by lung fibrosis. You can help!

When someone comes to your door seeking your vote:

1. Talk about your experience with lung fibrosis and whether the health system is working for you.
2. Tell them also that even if the health system works for you, it doesn’t work for everyone. For example, 75% of respondents in a 2021 ILFA survey hadn’t been offered the pulmonary rehabilitation they need and deserve.
3. Explain that in 2024, ILFA worked with the current government to allocate historic funding for lung fibrosis, but more needs to be done.
4. Make it clear to them that Ireland needs a Lung Fibrosis Clinical Programme and ask them if they are elected, will they work with ILFA to make that happen?