The last of the funds needed has been provided — which means people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the south will finally be able to get the care they need.

Funding of €150,000 has been provided by the Government which will go towards the development of between 10 and 12 isolated bedrooms and four four-bedroom wards for adults with CF in CUH.
The charity Build4Life, spearheaded by Kerryman Joe Browne, has already raised €2 million for the unit, which will be developed in the idle 5B ward in CUH.
Thanks to Build4Life, adult CF patients have been attending clinics where they are segregated from other patients, minimising the risk of cross-infection. Since opening that unit 12 months ago, the focus of Build4life has turned towards the development of isolated en suite bedrooms for adults with CF.
These bedrooms will be located in ward 5B in CUH and will be part of an acute respiratory ward which will accommodate not only adult CF patients but also patients with other chronic respiratory illnesses. Mr Browne said he hoped the facility would be up-and-running within 12 months and would be able to house 10 patients with CF and another 14 patients with other respiratory problems.
He said the charity has raised €4 million in total since it began supporting people with CF, and would continue to raise needed funding.
Senator Tom Sheahan has welcomed the announcement that Minister for Health Dr James Reilly has delivered €150,000 of funding for specialised CF care: “Build4Life was founded by friends and family of CF patients in Cork and Kerry and is headed up by Castleisland man Joe Brown.
“Joe has been a driving force in the charity and has proved very successful in raising much needed funds for those who are suffering with Cystic Fibrosis.
“Joe has shown that people power works. He dedicates himself to the Build4Life cause and I will continue to support him in any way I can,” the senator added.
Ireland has the highest incidence rate of CF in the world and one of the lowest life expectancy rates.