Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the report which was completed several months ago on neurology services; the reason for the delay in publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22163/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A Strategic Review of Neurology services in Ireland has been undertaken by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Review was overseen by a multidisciplinary Steering Group whose aim was to identify the current level of service provision and future requirements for neurology and neurophysiology services in Ireland. The specific objectives were to:

Describe the epidemiology of neurological conditions in Ireland.

Evaluate current neurology services, including paediatrics and neurophysiology.

Review the evidence in relation to models of service delivery and make a recommendation on the preferred model for the Irish health system.

Identify requirements for the development of neurology and neurophysiology services nationally and prioritise service requirements.

Report to the Director of the National Hospitals Office.

Work on the review has recently been completed and the final draft report has been submitted to the Director of the National Hospitals Office for consideration. The findings will help to inform the approach taken by the HSE to the future development of these services.

The publication of the review is a matter for the Executive and accordingly my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.