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

I thank Senator Boyhan for his warm welcome and I congratulate him on his election to Seanad Éireann. Like myself, he has been around for a number of years trying to get in. It took me ten years to get in here. I wish him well in future and I wish him the best of luck.

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising the issue of the development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital. I welcome the opportunity to outline the current position with regard to this major capital investment development. The National Rehabilitation Hospital provides a comprehensive range of specialist services to adult and paediatric patients who, as a result of accident or injury, have acquired physical disability and require specialist medical attention. Effective rehabilitation draws on a broad range of disciplines to meet the particular needs of individuals. I agree with the comments of the Senator on the excellent staff working there. The objective is to assist with returning to life in the community with confidence. Approximately 1,000 people are treated on an inpatient basis at the hospital each year. Approximately 5,000 people are treated on an outpatient basis. Many patients have a lifelong association with the hospital. Therefore, the completion of the new national rehabilitation hospital is the priority project in the rehabilitation medicine sector.

An Bord Pleanála has awarded planning permission for a 120 replacement bed ward block. It will include support therapies to paediatrics and acquired brain injury units as well as a hydrotherapy unit and a sports hall. An Bord Pleanála has agreed that.

The design is finalised and the preparation of tender documentation is under way. Procurement of construction contractors has commenced and within the next week a notice will be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Unionrequesting expressions of interest for suitable contractors. The NRH should be in a position to appoint a contractor at year end, with construction proper commencing in early 2017. On this basis the new facility could be completed in 2018. A small enabling works contract will commence in quarter 3 of this year and will be complete by the end of the year. The hospital is externally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The commission sets standards of quality by which an organisation providing rehabilitation services is assessed and measured in the delivery and development of medical rehabilitation services. The Government is committed to the development of the facilities at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. I look forward to the work commencing in the near future and to the completion of a new national rehabilitation hospital.

I take the point made by Senator Boyhan in respect of the ownership of the site and the conditions of the agreement. That is something we have to be careful about. Senator Boyhan also raised the issue of lack of clarity over the lands and title. I will give a commitment to Senator Boyhan to follow up on the aspects of this question he has raised, because we cannot have anything that will block the development of this major project.