Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 507: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Service Executive will commence building of the new National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire for spinal cord injuries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33744/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive is involved in ongoing discussions with the National Rehabilitation Hospital regarding its development proposals. I recently met with a delegation from the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

The development of a new National Rehabilitation Hospital needs to be considered within the context of a national policy for the delivery of rehabilitation services. My Department and the Heath Service Executive established a Working Group to develop a policy/strategy for the provision of rehabilitation services. 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. The Working Group has met on a number of occasions to date and it is expected to complete its work in 2009.

In the current economic situation, there is a need to ensure that all developments are planned and implemented to give best value for money and with the most appropriate mix of national, regional and local services.

The proposal to develop a new National Rehabilitation Hospital at a capital cost in excess of €100m and an additional revenue requirement of €45m annually, must also be considered in the context of the current economic climate and available funding.

Question No. 508 answered with Question No. 440.