We are delighted to see Epilepsy Ireland supported research being featured across mainstream media today - with features included in RTÉ, The Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, the Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Mail.
The research concerns whether untrained pet dogs can predict epileptic seizures and was conducted by Dr. Neil Powell of Queens University Belfast.
We are delighted to be expanding our Communications team at Epilepsy Ireland through a newly created position of Communications Executive.
Our colleagues in the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) are all set to host the 34th International Epilepsy Congress – which is set to begin this coming Saturday and run until September 1st.
Epilepsy Ireland have today written to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys; Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe; and Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath outlining proposals regarding access to Free Travel for people with epilepsy.
We are seeking that the Ministers make provision in the upcoming budget to provide funding to the Department to make the Free Travel scheme more accessible for people with epilepsy.
Alongside the Irish Epilepsy League and the National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy, Epilepsy Ireland have issued further correspondence to the Minister for Health regarding outstanding issues with the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).
Our ongoing campaign around access for Free Travel for people with epilepsy has been featured in the Neurological Alliance of Ireland’s 2022 pre-budget submission.
We believe our ask is extremely logical and simple given the unique challenges with travel that people with epilepsy can face due to the nature of their condition.
Our ask around Free Travel is included as follows:
For the 23rd year, Epilepsy Ireland are currently enrolling students for their renowned Training for Success course in IT Sligo.
This QQI Level 5 course is specifically targeted at people with epilepsy whose educational or social development may have been impacted by their condition which in turn has affected their ability to gain employment or pursue further education.
Over the past week, there has been significant coverage around an issue we highlighted as part of National Epilepsy Week concerning the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.
Alongside our colleagues in OACS Ireland, we have written to the Minister for Health regarding the lack of progress on the key issues which we have been campaigning on in relation to Sodium Valproate (Epilim).
In our correspondence to the Minister, we have identified three issues which must be urgently addressed and which require a renewed focus on by the Minister & his Department officials. These are as follows: