Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I want to acknowledge the work done by Senator Victor Boyhan, who brought forward an excellent motion on this issue in the Seanad. There is cross-party support. Deputies in all parties, as I said, have raised this, as have Senators. It is something that has to be got to grips with.

The Taoiseach mentioned that the budget provides for funding for neuro-rehabilitation teams. CHO 8, which includes Laois-Offaly, is without doubt one of the worst. It has to be prioritised because patients are being failed. If just one in every two patients is getting access to a service, particularly when it involves a serious condition such as a neurological condition, it has to be prioritised. I would stress to the Taoiseach that a neuro-rehabilitation team needs to be delivered in Laois-Offaly and the wider CHO 8 area.

I acknowledge that approximately 3,230 additional neurology outpatient appointments were due to be delivered by 2022 through once-off funding. The problem with once-off funding is that it does not provide a patient pathway. It is not long term. It is not consistent. What we need here is long-term vision and consistency.

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