Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Regan for raising this issue. I take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. It is a subject in which I have some interest. During parliamentary sessions, I live in the part of the city in which the National Rehabilitation Hospital is located. People throughout the State are referred to the facility.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to outline the position regarding the proposed development of the hospital. It is a highly regarded institution that plays a key role in the overall provision of specialised treatment and rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injuries, head injuries, amputation, traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury, strokes and neurological disorders. It provides pre-vocational and vocational training programmes involving a wide range of social, personal and work related skills with a view to enhancing opportunities for each individual for further training, employment and educational options. It also provides assessments for people in need of wheelchairs and other mobility aids. The hospital has a capacity of 120 beds. In addition, a 12-bed hostel enables patients from outside the greater Dublin area to access day services at the hospital and attend the rehabilitative training unit.

Detailed proposals have been prepared by the National Rehabilitation Hospital for the development of a new expanded hospital on the current site with a view to increasing both its bed capacity and diagnostic capabilities. The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive are aware of, and have been involved in, ongoing discussions with the National Rehabilitation Hospital regarding its development proposals. As the Senator observed, the project was included in the 2007 capital plan up to pre-tender stage. In May 2008, approval was granted by the Health Service Executive for the project to progress to tender stage. I am advised that tenders from selected contractors have since been received by the hospital.

Clearly, development proposals such as this must be considered within the context of an overall policy for the delivery of the relevant service. In the case of rehabilitation, there is an increasing demand, not just in Dublin but throughout the State, for new services and enhancement of existing services. Against this background, in July 2008 the Department of Health and Children and the Heath Service Executive established a working group to develop a policy for the provision of rehabilitation services. Its terms of reference include the development of an appropriate policy framework for rehabilitation and a preferred model of care for the provision of rehabilitation services. We must ensure the proposed development at the National Rehabilitation Hospital is in keeping with any future policy direction determined by the Minister in light of the work of this group. The group is due to report later this year. The Senator will also appreciate that the pace at which this project can progress depends upon the overall capital budget for health and other competing health projects. The Health Service Executive's capital plan for 2009, which reflects its revised capital allocation, is currently being considered within the Department of Health and Children and will be submitted to the Minister in the near future.

To summarise, the proposed development will be considered further in light of the findings and recommendations of the group which is currently reviewing national policy for the provision of rehabilitation services, available health capital funding and other competing investment priorities. I can assure the Senator that the Government will continue to develop public health services, including rehabilitation services, in a way that delivers the best possible outcomes within the resources available. Speaking personally, I hope the project will come to fruition as originally envisaged.