Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday I hosted the Parkinson's Association of Ireland's briefing in audiovisual room. We were told there has been no Parkinson's consultant in Cork University Hospital since 2016. There has been a promise of a replacement for years but still nothing. There have been no specialist Parkinson's nurses in Cork since 2021.

The Parkinson's Association of Ireland is looking for proper care for people with Parkinson's disease and with only six specialised Parkinson's nurses in Ireland at present, we are falling way behind in care for people who suffer from the disease. Investing in more specialised nurses is a cost-efficient way of improving the efficiency of outpatient clinics, reducing waiting times and ensuring that patients have access to the specialised support they need to manage their conditions. More specialised nurses would also ensure that patients get quicker access to outpatient appointments, thereby reducing waiting lists and ensuring that any deterioration in the patient's health status can be mitigated.

There is a need for at least 20 specialised Parkinson's nurses in Ireland. The least that should happen in the forthcoming budget is that the Minister set aside funding for six this year. Can the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, tell me the Government's plan for Parkinson's sufferers in the budget?

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