Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government includes a commitment to publish an implementation plan for the development of neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Will the Minister of State give the House a commitment that the plan will provide what has been recommended for the south? In his initial response, he used the word "considering", which is really not strong enough. A firm commitment is needed. The 2011 report clearly highlighted that Cork and Kerry need an acute rehabilitation medicine service that can provide a post-acute specialist rehabilitation service for acquired brain injury and neurological diagnosis to people between the ages of 18 and 65. The report argued that this service should be led by a consultant in rehabilitation medicine linked to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin and supported by a regional rehabilitation co-ordinator and a multidisciplinary professional team, including a clinical neuropsychologist. The report specifically highlighted that the presence of specialists in rehabilitation medicine would be of considerable benefit to the health service in Cork and Kerry.

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