Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree. I was in Dún Laoghaire recently, where the National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH, is looking to put in place a second phase. It is needed. The Chair will be aware that, for the first year, we have a fully funded national stroke strategy. Part of that involves neuro-rehabilitation in the community. We need significantly more acute rehab beds around the country. Much of the heavy lifting is being done by the NRH in Dublin. I have not received any reports on the matter, but for what it is worth, my view is that we need regional hubs. We cannot ask the NRH to do everything. There is funding for additional inpatient beds. At Peamount Healthcare, for example, we are putting in place an extra ten beds. We are moving on the matter, but I agree that much more is needed.

The trauma strategy is positive. Two major trauma centres are being built – one in the Mater, the other in Cork University Hospital. The Taoiseach and I launched what was essentially the start of the new trauma services in the Mater last week along with the opening of a new state-of-the-art block that has dedicated trauma beds. We are looking at a whole new building for the Mater. Those trauma facilities will help as well.