Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I have met the doctors in the west but we need to develop what we have first. The report identified a need for additional investment in neurosurgical services and the planning and commissioning of such services on a national basis. The Health Service Executive has invested in the expansion of the service at Beaumont Hospital in recent years. For example, in 2006 additional funding of €800,000 was allocated to the hospital to address identified service requirements. In 2007 additional revenue development funding of €4 million was allocated to the HSE to progress the further development of neuroscience services nationally. The executive allocated an additional €1 million in service development funding in 2007 to enable the hospital to make further improvements to its neurosurgical service. Deputy Ó Caoláin should be aware that currently there are 11 neurosurgeons in Ireland, not nine. This funding has allowed for additional staff to be put in place, including a temporary consultant neurosurgeon and a specialist registrar in neurosurgery.

This year Beaumont Hospital has been allocated a further €1 million within its overall allocation to support the continued development of neurosurgery. For example, in addition to the revenue investment, capital funding of nearly €5 million was allocated to the hospital in 2007 for replacement equipment for the neurosurgery theatres, refurbishment of interventional radiology rooms, investment in intra-operative monitoring equipment, investment in image linkages and a database to improve reporting arrangements. The 2007 capital allocation builds on the investment made in 2006. The commissioning of the 11th theatre is under way. This new theatre is capable of being commissioned on a 2.5 day basis in the near future, subject to recruiting an additional three staff, which was approved last year.

The Health Service Executive has advised that €900,000 in additional revenue funding was provided in 2007 to further develop neurosurgical services at Cork University Hospital, including the creation of a fourth neurosurgeon post. The progressing of this development was tied up with the finalisation of the new consultants' contract.

The Health Service Executive and statutory agencies such as Headway, the Peter Bradley Foundation, the Irish Wheelchair Association and BRI are involved in providing support by way of service provision, family support advocacy or peer support for people with acquired brain injury. The need is to support the person with acquired brain injury and his or her family. Families have shown extraordinary support for their loved ones with brain injuries and the health service has a challenge to respond to them in kind. On discharge from hospital, a range of services are provided for people with acquired brain injury and their families by both statutory and non-statutory agencies. Headway, for example, provides rehabilitative training and occupational day services at a number of locations. Support is also available for those seeking employment. It also provides family support, psychology and counselling services, as well as a community access programme in counties Cork and Kerry. Its information service provides a range of information leaflets on acquired brain injury related issues, books and a quarterly newsletter.

The Peter Bradley Foundation has developed a range of community based local services which include assisted living, outreach community rehabilitation services, clinical support teams and case management services. I acknowledge the need for acquired brain injury specific services due to the highly individualised nature of the disability being addressed. The Health Service Executive now has a greater awareness and is developing a more integrated multi-disciplinary approach to acquired brain injury involving acute hospital services and primary and community care. It acknowledges the need for facilities that are age appropriate and appropriate for people with acquired brain injury.

The national disability strategy supports the goal of every individual resuming independent living where possible through assisted living services and housing provision. The Health Service Executive and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are acting with social housing agencies to address these needs.

This debate provides a useful opportunity to highlight the Government's commitments and plans regarding rehabilitation and other services. The Government will continue to invest and lead reform to ensure taxpayers' resources are directed most efficiently towards building the new services we all desire.

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