Disability Services
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-28
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Emer Higgins (FG), Dublin Mid-West

I thank Senator Cosgrove for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond. I met MS Ireland recently and we discussed the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Sligo and Leitrim. The Senator is correct that an updated business case was submitted by MS Ireland for the recruitment of a multiple sclerosis community worker for the Sligo-Leitrim region. This was received and reviewed by local disability services management on 10 October 2025. The proposal was subsequently escalated to the head of service for disability services for consideration. At present, however, there is still no specific funding allocation within the HSE disability services’ budget to support the establishment of this post. It has not, therefore, been possible to progress recruitment at this stage.
Notwithstanding this, a range of supports are currently in place for individuals with multiple sclerosis in the Sligo-Leitrim area. The HSE physical and sensory disability service provides case co-ordination and social work support. While the case co-ordinator has been on statutory leave, it is anticipated that this leave will be ending shortly. Full case co-ordination service should resume from July.
The HSE physical and sensory disability service also provides for the delivery of home support and personal assistant services, based on assessed individual need. The MS North West Therapy Centre is funded annually by the HSE through a service arrangement. It delivers a comprehensive range of supports, including individual physiotherapy; telehealth consultations; exercise and rehabilitation programmes, including online classes; equipment assessments; psychological and well-being supports, including counselling and meditation; alternative therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and reflexology; and peer support and foot care services.
In addition, individuals may access a range of HSE community services, including occupational therapy and orthotics, as required.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-28