Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to improve the provision of neurological care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17905/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Clinical Strategy and Programmes in the HSE has established three key national programmes in relation to neurological care which shows the HSE's commitment to improving access to neurological services and gives these services a major focus in the HSE.

The first programme deals with neurology out patient departments and aims to provide standardised care for neurology patients and to increase access so that patients will not wait more than 30 days for an appointment. The programme is due to establish referral guidelines and encourage the increased use of neurolink. The second programme deals with epilepsy services and aims to introduce rapid access clinics to assist with admission avoidance and reduce the number of attendances to emergency departments. The third programme deals with stroke services and aims to establish robust clinical governance systems for stroke care, including local stroke teams and regional stroke networks.

The HSE has emphasised to my Department that all national programmes, including those concentrating on neurology, will have a focus on patient advocacy. These inter-related programmes aim to improve service quality, effectiveness and patient access and to ensure that patient care is provided in the service setting most appropriate to individuals' needs. I believe that the clinical programmes being developed by the HSE are vital to ensuring the most appropriate organisation of acute services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress made on the establishment of a medical assessment unit at Monaghan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17893/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In order to fully consider the issues involved, I recently met with public representatives from Monaghan and requested a detailed clinical and financial feasibility study on such a development from the HSE. I understand that arrangements for conducting the study are currently being made by the HSE.