I understand the rare diseases plan only covers eight conditions. The health service in Italy has a screening programme in place and I understand the Minister for Health will meet his Italian counterpart. The difficulty is that in many cases the only way these rare conditions can be detected is if a child misses a developmental milestone, for example, starting to crawl, walk or talk. In many cases, the system only reacts when a child with a serious and rare illness falls critically ill. Yesterday, I met some of the families involved who asked if it would be possible to expand the system in place here.

The Italians say they are saving hundreds of millions.

We have the question.

It is not only saving money, it is saving a child's life and protecting the child's development. It is saving children the heartache of being prodded, poked, terrorised and hurt while attempts are made to find out what is wrong.

We have got the question. It is just a question.

We need to act. The Minister of State will have the collective support of the House if this programme is put forward.

It is a question and the Minister of State will answer it. Colleagues are waiting.

I thank the Deputy. It is an interesting issue. I agree that it does not just save money, it saves lives and protects quality of life, not only for the individual but for the families involved. It has enormous potential. I have undertaken to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy O'Reilly, already that when I return to my office, I will take up the matter with the chief medical officer in the Department and get an update on the possibility of expanding the range of early screenings for newborns.