Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's point about the importance of investing in these services. I also take her point about the objective of having 270 beds. This is a priority for me because we have to meet the needs of the people. One of the priority actions in the HSE national service plan for 2017 is the establishment of an innovative pilot day service aimed at supporting people with severe acquired brain injuries. The inclusion of this action was informed by the meetings between the Minister for Health, the Department of Health and the HSE and the representatives of the An Saol project, for example. The head of operations in the HSE disability service wrote recently to a representative of the project to confirm that approval has been given for the progression in 2017 of a pilot initiative that will focus on the provision of therapies for people with severe acquired brain injuries. It is important to note that the HSE funds a large range of services across the country, including acute hospital services, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, a range of multidisciplinary services, a range of assisted living supports and rehabilitation training services. Of course, we must accept that this issue needs to be dealt with. The Minister, Deputy Harris, and I have made this a major priority for 2017.

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