Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I empathise with the dilemma those two gentlemen are in at the moment in terms of being placed outside the hospital setting. The placement of adults with spinal injuries outside acute hospital settings is a challenge in many parts of the country. The development of services in this area is something that has been required and I am sure is ongoing. Specifically, in regard to the two cases raised, I will take up the matter with the relevant health authorities to see in what way the matter can be resolved.

Generally speaking, there are plans within the HSE to develop rehabilitation services. I acknowledge the tremendous work and service pressures under which the National Rehabilitation Hospital has operated for many years. It has provided an excellent service. I have known people, including friends of mine, who had cause and reason to use the services and have nothing but praise for the excellent staff there. I visited the National Rehabilitation Hospital during my time as Minister for Health and Children. I acknowledge that it is an excellent facility that does tremendous work and brings great improvement to people who on the face of it one would not have expected to recover as well as they do there. There are plans to continue to develop the service because that is required. There is a need to try to provide services outside Dublin because the National Rehabilitation Hospital takes on the responsibility for almost the whole country because of the specialised injuries that are involved. I will take up the point made by the Deputy in regard to the two individuals and ascertain the position.

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