Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she plans to take and the timetable to strengthen and develop stroke rehabilitation services as set out in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17617/07]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to fund the development of stroke care units across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17515/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 148 together.

A national audit of stroke services, funded by my Department, is currently being undertaken by the Irish Heart Foundation in association with the HSE. This audit is scheduled to be completed in early Autumn. In addition an audit of the implementation of the existing cardiovascular health strategy 'Building Healthier Hearts' is being finalised by the HSE. While these audits will inform the development of cardiovascular and stroke services, my Department considers that there should be an over-arching policy framework to set out the broad policy guidelines for development of policy on cardiovascular disease including stroke. My Department is therefore in the process of establishing a national working group to draw up a such a policy framework.