Irish Lung Fibrosis Association Welcomes Significant Budget Allocation

29th October, 2024 

For Immediate Release: 

Irish Lung Fibrosis Association Welcomes Significant Budget Allocation 

The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) is delighted to announce the Association is being allocated a new and significant level of investment in the upcoming HSE Service Plan. 

We believe that the funding allocated to lung fibrosis in Budget 2025 will support the development of a disease registry, improve patient access to pulmonary rehabilitation, fund the establishment of the clinical care pathway, and provide necessary technical expertise to improve ILFA’s programmes across our three strategic outcomes: 

• Earlier diagnosis and treatment 

• High quality equitable medical care 

• Affordable disease management 

While the funding announced is only for 2025, it lays a clear and solid foundation to build from in our goal of realising a Clinical Care Programme for lung fibrosis patients. This funding allocation is especially significant as it is the first time that dedicated resources have been designated for lung fibrosis.  

Maureen O’Donnell, CEO of ILFA said, “We are deeply grateful to the Irish Government for their commitment to lung fibrosis patients. When in September, at Deputy Lahart’s request, Minister Donnelly agreed to meet with our delegation and consider our budget requests, I didn’t know we would achieve this result. Our job now is to ensure that our patients see the full benefit of this investment.” 

“For more than 20 years, without public funding, ILFA have supported lung fibrosis patients and their families through the most difficult journey of their lives. The funding allocated in budget 2025 should be used to provide patients with desperately needed services and supports and we will work to ensure that it does. We look forward to engaging with the Minister and members of the Department of Health and the HSE soon to agree the best use of the funding for patients.” 

 On 22nd October, Minister Stephen Donnelly provided the following response to a parliamentary question lodged by Deputy John Lahart: “As part of Budget 2025, I was delighted to be able to provide funding of €0.5m for lung fibrosis. Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the HSE on how this funding can be best utilised to provide supports and services to lung fibrosis patients in Ireland. I have also asked that a meeting be arranged with the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association to gather their views and to ensure that my Department, the HSE, and the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association work collaboratively to ensure this investment provides the most benefit to lung fibrosis patients and their families. “ 

ENDS

For more information: Maureen O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association