Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has officially opened the new premises of the North West Region Offices of MS Ireland in Letterkenny today.
MS Ireland recently moved from their Office at Port Road, Letterkenny to a more permanent building at 28 Slieve Sneacht, Letterkenny.
Speaking at the opening Senator Ó Domhnaill said: “I am delighted to have been asked by MS Ireland to officially open their new premises at 28 Slieve Sneacht today.
“The Regional Offices provide a wider range of services and resources to the whole MS Community with the aim of providing timely, sensitive and accurate information and support to people with MS, their families and carers.
“There are approximately 2.5 million Multiple Sclerosis suffers worldwide, with over 8,000 in Ireland alone. In Ireland, 250 people are diagnosed with MS every year and the highest rate is in the North West where 1 in 400 people are diagnosed with the disease.
He added that the demand for neurology services in this region is overwhelming and we need additional resources between Letterkenny General Hospital and Sligo General Hospital.
“I welcome the fact that there is a consultant neurologist at Sligo General, however this consultant is under increasing pressure to deal with the demand for services.
“I am calling on the Minister for Health James Reilly and the HSE to seriously consider appointing a second neurologist in the North West region and to adopt the recommendations made in the 2003 Comhairle na nOspidéal report. The people who are still on the waiting list in Donegal and Sligo cannot be expected to wait endlessly to see a neurologist and get the care they need.
“The Disabled Housing Grants must also be fully reinstated for people with genuine disabilities, who need adaptations to their homes. A review must be carried out of the current criteria for drivers tax concessions so that anyone diagnoses with MS automatically becomes eligible for these rebates.
“The necessary physiotherapy services must be made available to people with MS throughout the country. Providing physiotherapy and exercise programme is essential to people with MS in order for them to live the life of their choice to the fullest.”
Senator Ó Domhnaill concluded, “I would like to take this opportunity in commending the excellent work of MS Ireland, particularly the Regional Office team here in Donegal under the leadership of Catherine Peoples. I also want to commend the many volunteers across the county who have given their time and energy to help fundraise and provide support to MS suffers. I know that the new office here will provide excellent services to many people in the years ahead.”
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