James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in relation to the construction of a new national rehabilitation hospital to replace the out-of-date facility; the number of beds this hospital will contain; when a completion date is anticipated; the timeline for tendering for building, planning permission application and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1659/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive are involved in ongoing discussions with the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) regarding its proposals for the development of a newly expanded hospital on the current hospital site. In relation to the proposed new National Rehabilitation Hospital, planning permission has been granted for the development of a 235 bed facility at the NRH site. Tenders from selected contractors have been received by the hospital.

There is a need to ensure that the proposed development will be in keeping with any future policy direction determined by the Working Group that is currently developing a National Policy/Strategy for the provision of Rehabilitation Services. The Working Group consists of key stakeholders and experts in the field of rehabilitation. Its terms of reference include the development of an appropriate policy framework for rehabilitation and a preferred model of care for the provision of rehabilitation services. It is due to report later this year.