David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent by her Department and the Health Service Executive in arranging, securing and purchasing treatment abroad for patients other than those treated through the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the past five years respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47450/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her policy regarding the expansion of thrombolysis treatment availability to stroke patients across the country; the percentage of stroke patients who have access to this treatment; the locations at which this treatment is available; her efforts to reach the World Health Organisation target of treating 10% of patients with thrombolysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47451/08]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the report from the working group who are devising a national action plan for rehabilitation services has been completed; if she or the Health Service Executive have received a copy of same; and the action that she will take as a result. [47452/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are embarking on the development of a national policy/strategy for the provision of Rehabilitation Services. A Working Group was established in July 2008 to develop the policy/strategy.

The Working Group consists of key stakeholders and experts in the field of rehabilitation and is chaired by James O'Grady, Policy Advisor to the Office for Disability and Mental Health. Its Terms of Reference are to consider the rehabilitation needs at acute and community levels of people at all stages of the lifecycle with static and progressive neurological conditions; traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury; and other physically disabling conditions who may benefit from medical, psychological and/or social rehabilitation service provision.

The objectives of this process are the development of an appropriate policy framework; a strategy for service provision; and a preferred model of care. A report describing same will be prepared by the Working Group for submission to the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children and the CEO of the Health Service Executive.

The Working Group has met on three occasions to date and will complete its work in the first half of 2009. To assist and inform this process an invitation has been issued to all interested organisations and individuals to make submissions to the Working Group. The closing date for receipt of submissions is Monday 26th January 2009.