Cavan Senator Pauline Tully has called for increased supports for people with asthma in this year's budget.
According to the Sinn Fein representative, Ireland has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world.
Some 450,000 people in the country have asthma and 50% of those people do not have the condition under control.
With access to the right medication and healthcare, Senator Tully believes this would see significant cost savings to the State.
There would be fewer hospitalisations, less unscheduled GP visits, less absenteeism from work and study and less asthma-related deaths, she says.
Speaking in the Seanad last week Senator Tully highlighted that "people with asthma are not properly cared for in Ireland."
As a result, she is calling for serious consideration in the context of the budget: "The subsidising of asthma medication would be welcome. The new combined inhaler costs €85. That is quite steep. Many people cannot afford it and are relying on the blue inhaler only, which is not sufficient to keep the condition under control."
Senator Tully concluded her statement, pointing out that; "increased investment in the warmer homes scheme would have major benefits. Energy poverty is a huge issue in Ireland, but it does affect those with asthma disproportionately."
