Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024
263. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will, or is already, liaising with the Ministers for Finance, Social Protection and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, in examining the impact of long-Covid on public health quality and services, on the public finances, the labour force and therefore the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19935/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is likely aware, Long COVID is a new clinical entity, characterised by a wide variety of symptoms, for which there is, as yet, no evidence-based treatment. It is the subject of ongoing research in Ireland and internationally and the HSE responded to the need by establishing clinics nationally to support this newly emerging condition.The FADA survey (Follow-up After Disease Acquisition) is a HSE-funded epidemiological study which aims to provide insight and understanding into the prevalence of Long COVID in Ireland and its impact on those affected. The study is led by HSE Public Health and supported by a team that includes infectious diseases clinicians, academics, health and social care professionals and patient representatives. The aim of FADA is to estimate the prevalence of self-reported Long COVID in Ireland, describe its risk factors, describe type of symptoms including their severity and impact on those affected, and measure health care utilisation and quality of life. Any further investigation into the impact of Long-COVID on the population will be informed by the results of this study, the results of which are expected later this year.
