Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Minister, tá fáilte romhat.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to stand in for the Minister, Deputy Harris. I will not give a protracted commentary on this issue, which is ongoing, but will instead focus on the National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH, project. I attempted to raise other issues but I will respect the provision the Cathaoirleach has given me, which is to discuss the need for the Minister for Health to report progress on phase 1 of the National Rehabilitation Hospital project in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, and the commitment on the extension of phase 2 and the funding of that. That is important.

If she is in a position to do so the Minister of State might also take the opportunity to comment on the current position regarding beds in the hospital. If she does not have that information I will follow it up with the Minister later today because I have some people coming in about the matter who I believe will make a statement from this House at some point.

I draw the Minister of State's attention to the one line in the national planning framework on this particular project. Under Disability Services, it states: "Redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital and establishment of Disability Rehabilitation Centres across the country." That is the only line on that in the entire plan.

Without further ado, I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could outline how phase 1 of the project is progressing. We know the Taoiseach and the Minister visited the hospital. Deputy Maria Bailey, the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, and the Minister of State's colleague, Deputy Seán Barrett, are keen to see this project progress, so I would like to hear what she has to say about those matters.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for his brevity.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator. I am here on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, as this matter falls under his remit.

I take this opportunity to discuss developments at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire here in the Seanad. The Government recognises the excellent rehabilitation programme the National Rehabilitation Hospital delivers and the hospital’s excellent outcomes for its patients.

In terms of capital developments, the current priority is the delivery of the replacement accommodation at the hospital. The redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, which is currently under way, will be a major enhancement to rehabilitation services in the country. It will have a direct and significant impact on patient recovery by providing an optimal ward and therapeutic environment for patient treatment. I do not think the Senator has a copy of my script.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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Not yet. It is grand.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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He is listening attentively anyway, Minister.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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This will support staff to deliver quality care and treatment in a facility which affords dignity, respect and privacy to all.

The Government is committed to advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community, and the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital is central to achieving that. The National Rehabilitation Hospital provides complex specialist rehabilitation services including inpatient, outpatient and day patient services to patients who have acquired a physical or cognitive disability as a result of an accident, illness or injury and require specialist medical rehabilitation services.

An investment of €64 million will ensure the existing ward accommodation at the NRH is replaced by a new fit-for-purpose ward accommodation block of 120 single en suite rooms with integrated therapy spaces, a new sports hall, a hydrotherapy unit, a temporary concourse as well as clinical and ancillary spaces. In addition, links to the existing building will ensure full integration between the new development and the existing hospital on the site.

The contracts for development works at the National Rehabilitation Hospital were signed on 28 August 2017 and construction commenced on the site immediately. The construction of the hydrotherapy unit and the sports hall is expected to be completed by the end of this year, while the remainder of the construction works are due for completion by the end of 2019 and expected to be operational in 2020.Phase 2 of the redevelopment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH, involves the expansion of services, to include all existing therapies and support facilities, to the new hospital. Funding for phases 1 and 2 of this major redevelopment project is provided for in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. It is part of an overall €10.9 billion strategic investment in health under the Government Project Ireland 2040 policy initiative.

The area of neuro-rehabilitation remains a priority for the Government. A Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish a plan for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. The HSE’s national service plan for 2018 has identified a number of priority actions in this area, including finalising and progressing implementation of the framework for the neuro-rehabilitation strategy. Full implementation of the strategy will, of necessity, be a longer-term project. The model of care proposed in the strategy is a three-tiered model of specialist rehabilitation services and complex specialist tertiary services, specialist inpatient rehabilitation units and community-based specialist neuro-rehabilitation teams. As a first step, a managed clinical rehabilitation network project is in development to establish collaborative care pathways for people with complex neuro-rehabilitation care and support and-or accommodation needs. The National Rehabilitation Hospital will participate in that demonstration project.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive report. All of the news is positive and I have no difficulty with any of it. It is good news that it is going to go ahead. I will today submit this for publication in the local press because it is a good news story and I wish to give credit to those involved.

I thank the Minister of State for providing clarity for the first time on which Minister is dealing with this issue. I was told it is the Minister, Deputy Harris, who I have contacted and written to on the issue. The Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, told me the Minister, Deputy Harris, is responsible whereas the Minister, Deputy Harris, stated that it is the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath. However, we now have clarity. My focus is now with the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, as the matter has been confirmed as his responsibility by the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, in her response today, and I will pursue any further issues in this regard with him. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for coming to the House and sharing that information with me.