Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the number of lives that could be saved and the improvement in the quality of life for large numbers of persons that would be achieved by the further development of stroke services including clot buster thrombolysis, acute rehabilitation and stroke units in acute hospitals; the plans in place for such developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45564/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In September 2007, I established a National Cardiovascular and Stroke Policy Group to develop a new policy framework covering all aspects of cardiovascular health, including stroke. As part of its work the Group addressed issues raised by the Irish National Audit of Stroke Care 2008 including the organisation of stroke services, the development of stroke units, the provision of thrombolysis, as well as models for rehabilitation and discharge planning. The Report of the Policy Group is being finalised at present.

In parallel my Department and the Health Service Executive are developing an Implementation Plan. This will include a Stroke Programme. The aim of this programme will be to prevent stroke and to deliver high quality care to patients with stroke in order to reduce the number of deaths and the number of patients with severe disability.

Both of these reports will be brought to Government shortly with a view to publication.