Parkinson’s Ireland is Awarded State Funding

Parkinson’s Ireland (PI) is delighted to announce that we have been awarded state funding to run our Parkinson’s nurse specialist helpline service. 

This follows a sustained campaign, which highlighted the need for the government to provide funding for PI’s national services.

The helpline service currently has two specialist nurses and a dietitian. The nurses also run newly diagnosed programmes, outreach clinics and weekly virtual educational sessions with service users.

The service empowers people with Parkinson’s to self-manage their condition and mainly deals with medication queries, worsening of symptoms, coping with a diagnosis and information on other services.

Our CEO, Shane O’Brien, welcomed the news: “The Parkinson’s community in Ireland has been waiting for this news for many years. Since I started in my role last August, my main aim has been to secure significant government funding for our crucial services. We have been relentless in bringing attention to this issue over the past few months. 

“There are only 12 Parkinson’s nurse specialists in Ireland for the estimated 18,000 people with Parkinson’s. Our organisation employs two Parkinson’s specialist nurses, and our services help to relieve pressure on the system.

“We are under no illusion that there will be a need to grow over the coming years, as the demand for our services increase, but this is a very welcome boost.

“I would like to thank Minister Rabbitte and Minister Donnelly for their engagement on this issue and also the Taoiseach for his involvement. I would also like to sincerely thank the TDs who assisted us over the past few months; in particular, David Cullinane TD, Róisín Shortall TD, Denis Naughten TD and Noel Grealish TD.

“Most of all I want to pay tribute to all our members, branches, board members, staff, service users and supporters, who have advocated and campaigned on this issue over the years.”

To avail of the Parkinson’s Ireland freephone nurse callback service, please call 1800 359 359