David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 31 January 2008 and the Minister of State's comments regarding the development of formal policy in her Department, the progress that has been made in the provision of a rehabilitation centre in the Cork or Munster region for stroke and acquired brain injury victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9278/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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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 health, including stroke. A new Cardiovascular Health Policy Group was established in September 2007 to develop this framework. The group, chaired by Professor Hannah McGee of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, is due to complete its work by May 2008. In addition, a national audit of stroke services is currently being undertaken by the Irish Heart Foundation in association with the Health Service Executive. This will provide the evidence base necessary for the development of stroke policy.

My Department is currently considering the development of a formal policy on rehabilitation. A number of issues must be considered including:

a needs assessment on a population health basis;

the structure of service provision;

the location of the facilities; and

the nature of the facilities, that is, whether they are hospital type, step down, or preparation for independent living.

Plans have been prepared in some areas for regional rehabilitation facilities. My Department and the Health Service Executive are aware of the need to review the potential benefits of a regional network of rehabilitation facilities and services. The development of such a network should be considered in the context of a national strategy for rehabilitation services and the Department is currently considering this issue.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the specific matter of the provision of rehabilitation services for the Cork or Munster region investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.