Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 7

Written Answers. - Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Ceist:

101 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the numbers of multiple sclerosis sufferers in each health board area; the services provided in each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4310/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The number of multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers known to each health board is set out in the following table:

Health Board	Number of MS sufferers
Eastern	483
Midland	67
Mid-Western	210
North-Eastern	124
North-Western	250
South-Eastern	156
Southern	300
Western	121
Total	1,711

MS sufferers avail of the full range of medical, nursing and support services as appropriate, and in accordance with eligibility and need. In addition, health boards provide funding by way of section 65 grants to the MS Society of Ireland for the provision of the society's direct services to MS sufferers.