Ms Ava Battles:

It enables participants to be more active and participate in their community. Again, it is about us, as an organisation, trying to ascertain the needs of those on the ground and develop programmes that actually work for people when they are back in the community.

Let me mention two other programmes. We have a 12-bed respite facility that operates in Dublin. People come to it from all over the country. It is not only a place where a person can get an MS NCT but it also presents an opportunity for carers who are looking after individuals with MS daily to get a break while the latter stay with us for five, seven or 12 nights.

With regard to working collaboratively with other organisations, we work with RehabCare in the west. Unfortunately, it is only in the west. The HSE provides funding to RehabCare for people with cognitive rehabilitation needs. They come to us and meet our community worker and we identify their cognitive issues. They are then referred to the RehabCare cognitive programme and receive an assessment. They engage in a 12-week programme. Again, the programme improves the quality of life for people with MS in the community.

As an organisation that provides services to people in the community, we support 100% the recommendations of the NAI and the DFI to this committee today.