20,000 Irish people have IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) which is generally divided into two groups of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns disease.
The problem is ulcers in the bowel that give the sufferer diarrhoea up to 20 times a day.
Not only does this very disability mean the person is tired and sick, stress triggers the flare up.
The IBD society of Ireland have started to heavily campaign the government to allow the 20,000 sufferers free water charges or at the very minimum a major reduction.
As it is, IBD sufferers aren’t on the long term disability scheme which means they pay €144 a month for medication.
Many have had their bowel removed and as a result need to carefully wash their stoma and keep the area clean, thus using more water.
The shambles of a government coalition must accept this problem and allow the 20,000 sufferers free of water charges.