Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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A proposal for the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire was included in the National Development Plan 2007-2013. This was confirmed by the Department of Health and Children on 23 January 2007. No objections were lodged to the application and planning permission for the redevelopment was granted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on 4 September 2008.

The project, which will cost €200 million, provides for a new facility that will be funded by the Health Service Executive. The redevelopment will allow for an almost doubling of capacity to 235 beds. This arises in response to the increased demand for rehabilitative treatments and will constitute a centre of excellence in the field of medical rehabilitation. It is an important project, both for the area and nationally. In view of the precarious state of the public finances and notwithstanding the granting of planning permission, I am anxious to hear that this vital project will continue to be funded by the Government in the context of the national development plan. A clarification from the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, in this regard would be most welcome to all concerned.

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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The question was very specific and the response was general. It does not throw much light on the subject. The project has gone to tender and tenders have been received. How can this be advanced if a new group is to report on the overall issue of rehabilitation services at the end of the year? Tenders have been received and the matter has now stalled. The Minister of State is saying that no assurance can be given that funding will be available for this project.

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Across many fields projects are in an advanced state of planning and a shortlist of tenderers has been selected. In most cases, but not all, the projects will go ahead but not at the pace envisaged in earlier financial circumstances. My reply was moderately positive, without the guarantee that Senator sought.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply and that last assurance that matters will progress.