Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the debate on the National Rehabilitation Hospital. This is an issue I have raised in this House, along with colleagues, a number of times and I am delighted to see time dedicated to this issue again. When I raised this issue back in October, the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath stated:

I accept that services are underdeveloped and hanging around for another two years would not be acceptable. I give that commitment but I will go back to the Minister, Deputy Harris. Both of us will work on the issue. I hope to see some serious movement before Christmas.

This is June and beds have been closed since then. Are we meant to be happy, grateful and encouraged with four beds being reopened? I cannot share the generosity of colleagues in saying this can be in any way good enough for people. The services at the National Rehabilitation Hospital are inadequate to meet the needs of the Irish people. We are letting people down, often at their most vulnerable point, and we should have 270 specialist beds, let alone talking about reopening beds that have closed. With regard to the proposed development and liaison officer, the proposed redevelopment has not even happened. It will only be 120 beds in any case. Thank goodness we have people of persistence and determination and the likes of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and its excellent campaign, supported by 17 neurological charities, including We Need Our Heads Examined, to keep us focused on this. I had much more to say but there is a continuous pathway of services and supports needed for people on their neuro-rehabilitation journey. There is a vital window in which to provide neuro-rehabilitation following conditions such as stroke and acquired brain injury. As Senator Hopkins knows, people lose functionality with every minute they do not get that rehabilitation.

What plans does the Minister have in place to secure the 270 beds we need? Will they all be put in place after we get the 120 beds? Will we have any beds outside Dublin? If one is miles away from one's family, with a terrible condition, it is simply not good enough. There is also a need for community supports to be built. What plans does the Minister have to put the four regional inpatient specialist services in place? When will we get the fully staffed nine community neuro-rehabilitation teams? How much longer can the 25,000 people wait when they are suffering enough with their condition without access to a decent service? I cannot celebrate a paltry four beds tonight. It is better than going backwards but it is surely not good enough.