ResearchA €600,000 funding boost was announced yesterday to help 200,000 Irish people suffering from rare diseases.
The money will pay for research to improve patient treatment and care.
The Health Research Board (HRB) and the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG), a new umbrella organisation, awarded the money to the Research Fellowships in Rare Diseases.
MRCG chairman Michael Griffith said: "We are delighted that such a positive step towards increasing Ireland's medical research capabilities has come so soon.
"This new scheme will give these sufferers and their families hope that one day there may be a treatment for their condition.
"It is hoped that this scheme will grow and develop over the years and will result in a lot of research in rare diseases being carried out."
Rare diseases are classified as life-threatening or chronically debilitating diseases that afflict fewer than five in every 10,000 people.
They include cystic fibrosis, retinitis pigmentosa, muscular dystrophy, cystinosis and epidermolysis bullosa.
Two fellowships worth a minimum of €300,000 plus travel costs will be awarded on a full-time basis over three years, beginning in 2006.
Researchers who are currently interested or working in the area of rare diseases are urged to apply for funding.
Successful candidates will also get the chance to travel and work at internationally renowned research centres.
It is hoped that the fellowships will help develop research capacity in Ireland and strengthen national and international research networks in the area of rare diseases.
The MRCG, which represents 16 charities, was set up last week to promote, support and source funding for medical research in Ireland.
Members include Arthritis Ireland, ASH Ireland, Asthma Society of Ireland, Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association, the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation.