Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was contacted by two families last week who hope their loved ones will be admitted to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH, in Dún Laoghaire. They have been told there is a waiting time of four to six months. I contacted the NRH which confirmed the waiting time, identified the issue to be staffing and stated that it is primarily a housing-related issue. The staff required in the NRH are opting to go to other hospitals in other parts of the country or abroad because they cannot afford to live in Dublin.

One young man who is awaiting admittance to the NRH is only 21 years of age. He had a bleed on the brain and is scheduled for radiation treatment. He needs to build his mobility and strength. His needs are urgent but he cannot be seen. Another man has brain damage due to heart failure. There is a window of opportunity now due to some progress. He needs treatment now and not in six months for it to make the most impact. The staff in the NRH are excellent and I cannot praise them enough but there are simply not enough of them. What measures can be taken to address this urgent issue?

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