David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress she has made in developing a national strategy on rehabilitation for stroke victims and people with severe injuries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41439/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I regard the continued development of rehabilitation services as an essential element of providing appropriate care to patients across a wide range of health services. In April 2003, Comhairle na nOspidéal submitted a report of a review of neurology and neurophysiology services.

It recommended a significant enhancement of services, including increases in consultant manpower. It also recognised that there are aspects of a number of other specialties and services, such as rehabilitation medicine, geriatric medicine and old age psychiatry, which are related to and overlap with neurology services. It recommended that a national multi-disciplinary review of rehabilitation services be undertaken to further inform the policy framework in relation to the development of neurology services.

Consistent with this recommendation, and in line with commitments in the National Health Strategy, a national action plan for rehabilitation services is currently being prepared by my Department in consultation with the HSE. The action plan will set out a programme to meet existing shortfalls in services and to integrate specialised facilities with locally based follow-up services. This will be informed by Comhairle Report and the work undertaken by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland. The intention is to have a comprehensive policy framework for the future development of neurology and neurophysiology services in this country.

Additional revenue funding has been made available in 2005 and 2006 and an additional €4m will be provided in 2007 to the HSE to support the development of neurology/neurophysiology services in a number of regions, having regard to agreed priorities. The continuing development of the services is a matter for the Health Service Executive, having regard to available funding and other competing service priorities.

Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that a member of the Health Service Executive review group on orthodontics claims that children in need of orthodontics are being damaged due to the lack of services available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41429/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) established an Orthodontic Review Group. The terms of reference for the group are:

to review the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee Reports;

to examine the recommendations within the operational remit of the HSE and to establish their status;

to conduct an analysis of the HSE's existing orthodontic delivery structure and capacity.

Based on that analysis, to make recommendations in that regard;

the recommendations thus made to be costed and a time-frame for their implementation proposed.

I have been advised that the Review Group has concluded its meetings and is finalising its report and recommendations. The report will be presented to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE in the near future. I look forward to receiving and considering the Report.

I have not received any clinical evidence that children in need of orthodontic treatment have been damaged.