People who have neurological conditions have been failed by the Government, a charity has claimed.

More than 160 seriously ill patients are being forced to wait over six months for vital brain surgery — at a time when Ireland is hosting a major conference on how to prioritise the service.

Thousands of Irish people each year cannot access health facilities to cope with the effects of serious neurological conditions.

More than 5,000 people suffering from conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis are facing up to four-year delays for public hospital care.