The Irish government has denied children with alopecia, or hairloss from illnesses such as lupus, trichotillamania etc, any financial help for their parents to purchase wigs. Whilst finally agreeing to give a one off grant a year, of Eu500, to adults with hairloss that is confirmed by their GP, to help pay for a wig, based on PRSI payments, they have totally ignored the plight of parents up and down the country. Some of these parents have to borrow thousands of Euro every year to pay for wigs for children as young as three or four years old who, through illness, have lost most or all of their hair. Most of these parents have to borrow from credit unions, family, friends, in some cases loan sharks, and some are left with no choice but to approach bodies in the UK, as there is no help for them here, just to ensure that their children can have a wig. The affects of hairloss on a child is impossible to explain, as not only is it extremely visual, very hard to disguise, DEFINITLEY impossible without a wig, but it’s damage emotionally is heartbreaking. Irish parents should have the right to apply for this grant based on their own PRSI contributions. We are begging the government to put themselves in this position. If your child lost their hair… how would you feel? Give families the help they deserve, to help their children. By allowing them to have a grant, by giving these children some sort of dignity through wearing a wig, you could save a lot of money  going forward, as a child growing up with no hair has so many emotional and psychological problems and most will inevitably need counselling as they grow older, some even into adulthood. The least the government can do is to try to ease that burden. Allow parents to apply with their own PRSI for a wig grant for their little boy or girl. Allow children to have a chance to live like every other child. Families are struggling enough without the extra cost of thousands each year to help their children feel comfortable in themselves. We are asking the government to add children and teens to this grant. Please sign this petition today and ask your friends and family to sign. You never know when your child, or your grandchild, niece or nephew may need help to buy a wig. Hopefully it will never happen, but please think of the children who it has already happened to.