Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share the frustration of colleagues about the roll-out of a programme that dates back to 2011 and a strategy which at the time was to be achieved within a four year timeline and their desire to achieve much more for people who find themselves in this position. As Deputies Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and Catherine Murphy said, this is about more than just acute hospital services. It is also about the supports we need to provide for communities to help people on their journey of rehabilitation.

On behalf of the Minister for Health, I wish to state the Government is committed to the strategy and believes it is the best way to achieve the improvements in services for people who find themselves in this position. Obviously, the commitment to part fund to the tune of €54 million a new rehabilitation centre with over 120 beds and which will provide multidisciplinary therapy support is welcome, but we must get on with the task of fully funding the service because that is the only way we will be able to make a difference. I note that the steering group has been established. I am not aware whether both Deputies are members of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, but it might be offer a useful opportunity to call in the steering group at the earliest opportunity to see what progress we can make, particularly in making sure the three additional postholders are in place this year. Providing for such oversight of the work of the steering group would be very useful and is something the Minister would support. We need to keep up the pressure to make sure we deliver on the strategy.

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