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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Cystic fibrosis medication access

Summary

Bacik welcomes the cross-party motion on Orkambi and urges that access to cystic fibrosis medication not become a political football; she also welcomes new paternity leave.

I thank the Leader for taking the all-party motion on medication for patients with cystic fibrosis, No. 81, non-Government motion No. 19, on today's Order Paper. I refer specifically to the provision of Orkambi for cystic fibrosis sufferers which is a hugely important and pressing issue for many people across Ireland. As I said last week, the matter is too important for it to be made a political football by us. I thank the many colleagues from across the floor and from this side for signing up to the motion.

I also welcome the introduction of paternity leave which was announced today.

The Cabinet has announced that it has given the green light for the introduction of two weeks paid paternity leave to take effect from September 2016. This is a welcome first step in the recognition of fathers' rights in the workplace. The Tánaiste gave a commitment on it this time last year and it will come into effect later in the year. It may not be possible between now and the general election but when time permits, will the Leader arrange for a broader debate not only on paternity leave and provision for fathers in the workplace but also on child care costs and the best models for child care, including the most cost effective and high quality models? We, in the Labour Party, have given a commitment to extend paid paternity leave rights by three months over five years and to take measures to tackle the cost of child care. It is a very pressing issue for many people.

I welcome the announcement this week in respect of physiotherapists. Many of us raised the issue of the title of physiotherapist in the House and with the Minister for Health. I am glad that the Minister has decided not only that the title of physiotherapist will be protected under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act but also that he will protect the title of physical therapist as a varied title of physiotherapist as the best way to eliminate the ongoing risk of confusion and the consequent risk to public safety. I am aware that new grandparenting provisions are being prepared which will allow practitioners to apply on a once off basis and for a limited period to register in the physiotherapist register and that after this period only qualified physiotherapists will be permitted to register. This is a sensible decision. It has been communicated to the Physiotherapists Registration Board and other interested parties and the Department of Health is preparing the necessary legislation to give effect to the Minister's decision. It has been welcomed by practising physiotherapists, many of whom have been in contact with many of us. It is an eminently sensible decision.

I call for a debate on fourth level education and research funding when time permits. I am aware we had a debate in recent weeks on Horizon 2020 but the issue of fourth level, postgraduate education and postgraduate research opportunities is a pressing issue on which I would like a debate.

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