We were pleased to see a number of political representatives present at the recent launch of findings from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland's (NAI) Living with a Neurological Condition in Ireland survey.
Speaking at the launch during Brain Awareness Week 2014 were Senator Jillian Van Turnhout, Senator Marie Moloney, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Denis Naughten TD.
Senator Van Turnhout announced that she will be calling for a Seanad debate on why the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy has not been implemented. Senator Moloney echoed this call.
Senator Van Turnhout also said that "services need to be provided at an early stage of any neurological condition" and that Irish people should not have to be "thankful for the miniscule amount of essential services they receive. These services are a right and keeping people in hospitals, at significant cost, hen they want to live at home is a violation."
Senator Moloney (Co. Kerry) identified her three points of follow-up after seeing the survey results. She committed to seeking a Senate debate on the issues raised, raising the matter with her Labour party colleagues and continue using her role as senator to keep these issues at the top of the agenda.
Local TD for Roscommon and South Leitrim Denis Naughten spoke about the need for "joined-up thinking in our government. there is currently no infrastructure for disability in this country. you can't have a good government without a solid bedrock of social and public services." Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was adament that this report "needs to be seen as a call-to-action and not another invisible report that sits in a box on a shelf."
Since Tuesday Sentator Moloney has called for a Senate debate. We will update you when we know more.
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