asked the Minister for Health if he will consider placing muscular dystrophy on the priority list of long-term illnesses.

The long-term illness scheme already covers muscular dystrophy.

Why is muscular dystrophy not treated as a priority? Why is it regarded as a less serious disease than others?

The Deputy should take the matter up with local authorities and the chief medical officers of health who tend to set their own priorities. If the Deputy has any case in point I will be only too happy to take it up for him.