Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for giving a powerful presentation. It has been informative and upsetting. They have taken the time to effectively come in as an alliance to inform us of what is needed. They are people who are prepared to roll up their sleeves. That is what the Government, the HSE and other people should do. They should be able to help people to roll up their sleeves. I understand that some meaningful progress has been made with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. I appreciate that the witnesses acknowledged that, but we need to do an awful lot more.

I live in Sligo, so I am familiar with the transitional living unit, which was a collaboration between Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and the HSE. We need a lot more of that. I will not say I am happy, but I am very aware that the witnesses are prepared to work with all the stakeholders to achieve this. I will not go over what other people have said, but I am aware that there are gaps in the services and certainly in neurorehabilitation care in the north west. It is a critical issue, and we need to address those gaps. We also need to address those issues around the country, but I am speaking as somebody who lives in the north west. I understand it is currently the only region without MS case worker support. We should note and pass on from the committee that this leaves many individuals with multiple sclerosis without the necessary advocacy and assistance. The full delay in the implementation of the strategy was discussed, but is there anything more we can do?

I was in the Department of Health, which can be an unusual place at the best of times, but it likes good governance, and it likes data. That is one thing I always say. Ms Cotter's organisation and the others also have good governance. However, they need data as well. We are here to assist and help and I thank them for coming in today. On a lighter note, I hope they have been a lot more successful in the horses than I have, but it is nice to see people are able to get on with life. My colleagues have outlined measures and Mr. Grogan and Mr. Schäler have summed up the difficulties they face. Our job is to try to assist and help. This meeting has been informative for me and the committee. I thank the witnesses for coming in.