David Cullinane
Ceist:103. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health her plans to enhance care for people with early onset Parkinson’s disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17630/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 5 March 2026
Ceisteanna (103)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department is committed to working with relevant stakeholders including the HSE and patient representatives to strengthen key services and supports for people with neurological conditions including early onset Parkinson’s Disease and will build on the investment made in Budget 2025.
Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenative condition after Alzheimer’s Disease, causing both motor (tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement) and non-motor symptoms (e.g. cognitive, behavioural, constipation, autonomic). Parkinson's Disease is variable in its progression and, whilst more common in those over 60 years, also presents in those under 50 years termed early onset Parkinson’s Disease.
Budget 2025 provided €4m for the recruitment of five consultant neurologists and an additional 25 WTEs to support the implementation of the Neurology Model of Care and the Hub and Spoke Model for neurology services. The Hub and Spoke model will support more timely, equitable access to neurology services at regional level including for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
In addition, €300,000 was allocated to develop the Deep Brain Stimulation service at the Mater Hospital in Dublin comprising of 1.5 WTEs. Deep Brain Stimulation is an effective treatment for Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders.
Of the 30 WTEs announced for neurology services 7 posts were allocated for Parkinson's Disease specialists nurses. These posts include 4 Clinical Nurse Specialists, and 3 Advanced Nurse Practitioners. This more than doubles the number of specialist Parkinson’s Disease nurses working in the HSE. Prior to this there were six specialist nurses dedicated to Parkinson's Disease in public hospitals. As of February 2026, 5 of these new specialists nurses have been recruited.
In addition, Parkinson’s Ireland, funds two Parkinson's Disease nurse specialists in the Voluntary sector. These specialist nurses collectively play a positive role in the ongoing treatment and care of those with Parkinson's Disease including, Early Onset Parkinson's Disease.
Developing specialist nursing capacity is a key priority in the Neurology Model of Care. Specialist nursing roles are important for managing many chronic neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease as they can support patients to manage their conditions well in the community, potentially avoiding the need for emergency visits and hospital admission. There is also evidence that access to a Parkinson’s Disease nurse specialist can reduce length of stay of hospital admissions as well as improving health-related quality of life.
Neurology Model of Care and Updated Parkinson’s Disease pathway
The National Clinical Programme for Neurology’s Model of Care (2016) provides a framework for the assessment, treatment and management of those with Parkinson's Disease. A working group for Parkinson's Disease, established in 2025 by the HSE to focus on the development of an updated and integrated Parkinson’s Disease pathway; this working group includes representation for patients with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease. The pathway is designed to cater for every person living with Parkinson's Disease in Ireland (including those with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease) and the HSE acknowledges that patients with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease often have distinct clinical and life course care needs from those with typical later-onset disease, such as family, work and mental health that are important to recognise and incorporate in any updated pathway.
Whilst the working group is not specifically focused on the development of an Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease pathway, it will consider and acknowledge the unique factors that should be incorporated into pathway development for this population group and other groups with specific needs.
More broadly, the HSE is actively working on a Hub and Spoke model to guide equitable neurology services around the country to align with the new health regions and to tackle the gaps in neurology services nationally. This will cater for people with all neurological conditions including Parkinson’s/Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease and will deliver on the Sláintecare principle of delivering care closer to the patients home.
This model will include one model 4 hospital ‘Hub’ per Health Region, catering for the most complex neurological care. These sites will support model 3 hospital ‘Spoke’ sites who will provide services for people with less complex needs where efficient access to Hubs as required.
It is expected that this proposed Hub and Spoke model will enable a reduction in waiting lists, timely access to diagnosis and treatment and thus, improve quality of life and prognosis for people with neurological symptoms, including Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease.
I am committed to making further progress developing services for those with Parkinson’s and Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease and I will continue to work with the HSE to ensure improvements in Neurology services.