EOPD.ie (Early Onset Parkinsons Disease Ireland) welcomes the announcement of funding for The National Deep Brain Service based in the Mater and Beaumont Hospitals. Since 2021, Deep Brain Surgery (DBS) has been available to people living with Parkinson’s whose medications may not be as effective as the disease progresses. Prior to this, people had to travel to Bristol and London in the UK. The success of this advanced surgical treatment has led to a large waiting list. People whose insurance covers treatment abroad have gone to the UK for DBS. Figures from 2021 state that 20 surgeries were carried out in Ireland with a similar number travelling to the UK. Lack of access to Theatre and a half time Neurologist post are contributing to limited service. The approved funding of €300K will allow for expansion of the Multi-Disciplinary Team. 

We wish to acknowledge the support of Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, who was pivotal to help to scale up the capacity in this transformative service once the issue was brought to his attention. 

This €300K funding is in addition to the Budget 2025 €2 million investment in services for people with neurological conditions. The €2 million investment is allocated towards the recruitment of five additional consultant neurologists and clinical support member who are to be based in five regional hospitals of Kerry, Portlaoise, Wexford, Mayo and Letterkenny. The money will also go towards the development of the community neurorehabilitation teams across Ireland, including specialist physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapy for people.  

The investment into DBS and neurological services will improve the lives of the over 860,000 people who are living with a neurological conditions in Ireland. Parkinson’s Disease is the fastest growing neurological condition, and it’s predicted that the number of Irish people with Parkinson’s is to double over the next 20 years. EOPD.ie welcomes this investment and the commitment to provide better care for the growing number of people with neurological conditions in Ireland.  

If you have any questions about early-onset Parkinson’s Disease or our charity, EOPD.ie, please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@eopd.ie or call 086 103 0266.