Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Neurological Services: Motion [Private Members]

 

4:20 pm

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé an-bhuíoch go bhfuil deis agam labhairt ar an rún chomhaltaí príobháideacha seo agus tacaíocht a thabhairt dó. Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy are just some of the neurological disorders with which most Deputies will be familiar. Most of us know someone, whether a family member, friend or colleague, who has been tragically affected by one or other of these neurological disorders. Behind the suffering of the individual lies the major challenge that husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, families and friends must face. Families are often faced with immediate, intensely emotional and practical demands. There is the sudden shocking realisation that everything has changed and families find themselves facing major readjustments in their previously normal lives.

The individual with the neurological disorder and his or her family face great uncertainties. Both face the life-changing prospect of having to manage a chronic, lifelong condition. Carers face the prospect of a lower quality of life, sleep deprivation, constant pressure and strains on relationships. Carers and sufferers face the prospect of social isolation, stress and coping difficulties, especially when resources and supports to ease their burden are absent. It is unfortunate that community services are insufficient and fragmented. There is an excessive reliance on voluntary funding, particularly following cuts in funding for special needs assistance, home care packages and so forth. Residential and respite care facilities have also been reduced, leading to a dependence on home carers. However, with family structures becoming increasingly complex in modern Ireland, fewer families are in a position to take on the burden of caring for a family member at home.

We have had a plethora of legislation, strategies and proposals. Quality and Fairness: A Health Strategy for All was published in 2001. The Disability Act was introduced in 2005. The Listen to Carers report was published in 2008. The National Carers' Strategy: Recognised, Supported, Empowered was published in 2012. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was introduced in 2015 and we also had the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015. Despite all of this work and the many aspirations set out in the various Acts and documents, implementation of many of the key strategies and proposals has been absent or incomplete.

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