Election 2024: Disability — Comment: Two urgent issues candidates must address 

People living with disabilities need to know what election hopefuls are going to do on two big issues affecting them before deciding on whether to vote for them, writes Health Correspondent Niamh Griffin

A Government press release about funding for rare disease care namechecked Emma Fogarty, who took part in the Dublin City Marathon with Colin Farrell to raise funds for and awareness of Debra. Niamh Griffin writes: 'So that is what is needed to get attention.' Picture: Leah Farrell/Rolling News

People living with disabilities or waiting for GP appointments are beginning to realise that while their problems are often hidden at home, a crisis is bubbling.

For children or adults living with disability and their families, the election is a chance to raise those problems, including access to vital therapies, with election hopefuls. Their hurdles might start at birth when a pin-prick test identifies a rare disease or later as developmental issues show for a toddler.