Parkinson’s Ireland Meets Minister Emer Higgins to Progress Key Priorities for the Parkinson’s Community

Parkinson’s Ireland was pleased to meet with Minister for Disability, Emer Higgins, along with officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. 

We welcome the Minister’s continued engagement and her recognition of the growing numbers of people living with Parkinson’s Disease and the increasing importance of the services our organisation provides. 

During the meeting, we discussed three priority issues for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones: 

1. Transition of people with Parkinson’s under the age of 65 living in nursing homes. 
   
2. Sustainable funding for Parkinson’s counselling and other multi‑disciplinary services. 
   
3. Development of Community Neurorehabilitation Teams nationwide. 

Parkinson’s is the fastest‑growing neurological condition, with cases expected to more than double globally by 2050 due largely to an ageing population. It is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer’s, and results in the longest average hospital stay of all neurological conditions in Ireland. These trends underline the urgent need for investment in community-based supports, mental‑health services, and neurorehabilitation to help people manage the condition and remain independent. 

Parkinson’s Ireland thanks Minister Higgins and her officials for a constructive and forward‑looking meeting. We welcome her acknowledgment of the rising prevalence of Parkinson’s and the essential role of our services in meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding community. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure people with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones receive the supports they require.