The annual conference of the Post Polio Support Group in Sligo has highlighted great difficulties in accessing treatment for survivors.
The group has called for more centres of excellence to treat people who are suffering post-polio syndrome.
The group says that over 4,000 people struck down with the crippling disease in the 1940s and 1950s are now suffering the after effects of the disease.
Muscles which have worked overtime for years are now weakening rapidly and many find themselves back on crutches or in wheelchairs.
However the group says people can wait for up to 18 months for an initial appointment and there are not enough centres of excellence to deal with their problems.
They also called on the Government to provide all people diagnosed with post polio syndrome with medical cards and allocate grants to adapt their homes so that they can live independently and not be a burden to the State.
