Funding to support the deep brain stimulation (DBS) service for Parkinson’s disease has recently been confirmed by the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin health spokesperson Deputy David Cullinane, the Minister stated €300,000 has been allocated to develop the DBS service at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.
The funding will support 1.5 whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts within the multidisciplinary team involved in the treatment.
DBS is an advanced neurosurgical therapy used for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by medication. The procedure involves implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain, connected to a small device placed under the skin that delivers electrical stimulation to regulate abnormal brain activity.
The DBS funding forms part of broader investment in neurology services announced in Budget 2026.
According to the Minister, €4 million was allocated for the recruitment of five consultant neurologists and 25 additional WTE staff to support the implementation of the national Model of Care for Neurology and a planned hub-and-spoke model for neurology services.
Of the WTE posts announced for neurology services, seven are dedicated Parkinson’s disease specialist nursing posts, including four clinical nurse specialists, and three advanced nurse practitioners. These posts more than double the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses working in the public system, which previously stood at six. As of February 2026, five of the new specialist nurses had been recruited.
The planned hub-and-spoke model for neurology services will see one model 4 hospital acting as a regional hub for complex neurological care, supporting model 3 hospitals providing services for less complex cases. The approach aims to improve access to diagnosis and treatment and reduce waiting lists for people with neurological conditions.
The developments come ahead of World Parkinson’s Day on Saturday 11 April.
Parkinson’s Ireland has launched its ‘Meds on Time, Every Time’ campaign. This campaign aims to highlight the crucial role of medication timing in managing Parkinson’s disease.
The campaign will run alongside the charity’s nationwide fundraising event, ‘A Walk in the Park for Parkinson’s’, taking place across 21 locations on 11 April.
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