The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ireland is expected to hit 300 this year, the highest number since 2018.
Prof Anne Marie McLaughlin from St James's National TB Centre said the incidence has increased by nearly 30% in the past two years - much of which was due to the increase in homelessness.
"Approximately 60% of our patients are foreign-born, who are living in IPAS centres or experiencing homelessness," she said.
She explained that 30% of patients are Irish-born who are often immuno-suppressed due to issues such as cancer medications.
Prof McLaughlin said prisons are another area of concern, particularly given Ireland experienced "one of the biggest outbreaks in the world" of TB between 2009 and 2010.
"We can cure TB, and that the really good news story. It is 100% curable."
However, Prof McLaughlin said additional Government funding was required to introduce a new app which enables her medical team to ensure that patients are taking the medicines they have been prescribed.
"The cost of that is €11,000 per annum for a licence, which is nothing by comparison to the cost of what we previously used - which was public health nurses visiting patients or getting patients to visit them. That cost around €350,000 per annum," she added.
Prof McLaughlin is also seeking funding for a drop-in clinic for patients, given that it is "very hard" for patients who are homeless to abide by scheduled medical appointments.
"If they develop a problem in-between, we're the only experts who can deal with it. They can't just go to their local GP because this is really niche stuff," she said.
Prof McLaughlin was speaking on World Lung Day at an event organised by the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association and fellow organisations,
Lung fibrosis is a life-limiting very serious and progressive condition affecting 5,000 people across Ireland.
Maureen O'Donnell of the ILFA said today's event in Dublin was to try and raise awareness of the condition.
She said her association is campaigning for "equitable care" so that no matter where patients live in Ireland, they are able to obtain the care they need.
"75% of our patients are not offered pulmonary rehabilitation, which is critical for them to be able to live a longer life," she said.
If not, she warned, it will take time off their lives.
