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

We have to ensure that services are not just focused in one or two regions. We need to have a national service. I take the Deputy's point about the implementation of the plan for Cork and Kerry. It is important to note that although Acquired Brain Injury Ireland works mainly with adults between the ages of 18 and 65 whose main disability is an acquired brain injury, it is also involved in the development of pilot projects providing services for children and runs parenting programmes in Dublin for the parents of children with acquired brain injuries. Headway Ireland provides a range of services to people with acquired injury between the ages of 16 and 65, including day services, psychology and social work services, community integration programmes, employment and family supports and rehabilitation training places. It is important for further investment in rehabilitation services to be considered in the context of the overall acute hospital rehabilitation medicine infrastructure programme. The needs of the hospital group will be prioritised within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. Such issues are important. The Department of Health will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform during 2017 to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme.

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