CFAI launch awareness week

Some of the money raised by the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland is going to funding staff in Irish hospitals - as the recruitment freeze in the health sector remains in force.

The organisation is launching its awareness week today with a conference at Whites Hotel in Wexford, which will be addressed by Health Minister Dr James Reilly.

Around 1,200 people in Ireland suffer from cystic fibrosis and about half of those are babies.

Chairperson of the CFAI, John Coleman, says some of the money will go towards improving services as well as funding hospital staff.

"We've currently got a commitment to raise effectively over €4m to improve both facilities and services.

"What the CFAI effectively spends its money on is kickstarting hospital projects and, surprisingly, it also funds certain staffing positions where the HSE has a ban on recruitments."

The conference runs from today until Sunday and will be broadcast live on the CFAI website .