Heart Foundation asks for State funds

The Irish Heart Foundation is hoping to get the Government to co-fund a €250,000 survey on the needs of recovering stroke patients.

The organisation will hold its annual happy heart fundraising campaign this weekend.

Chief Executive Michael O'Shea has said there is a real need for aftercare for stroke patients.

Mr O'Shea said: "We feel there is a great lack of structural services in the community particularly speech, language therapists and occupational therapists."