Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements being put in place in the Health Service Executive in County Kildare to cover the function of school liaison for children who are on the autism spectrum; how it is intended to accommodate children who currently attend the centre in Kill which is due to be sold; if a communications strategy is in place to include parents who have children with disabilities such as autism affected by the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13597/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for Health how he intends to implement the recommendations of the National Rehabilitation Strategy; the funding that has been allocated to this; if there will be an increase in specialist posts in 2012; his views on the fact that just one in every six of the 15,000 persons with severe conditions receive the rehabilitation they require; his further views on whether this does not produce savings but produces care needs elsewhere in the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13598/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Last December, I welcomed the publication of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services. The report recognises that given the current economic climate, the focus in the short to medium term has to be on reconfiguration of services, structures and resources and the enhancement of the skills and competencies required to meet the changing context.

The Strategy is focused on the specific needs of those with neurological illness or injury outside of stroke. Five of the more common neurological conditions were selected for detailed review and analysis in the report. The five conditions selected were:

acquired brain injury (other than stroke);

cerebral palsy;

multiple sclerosis;

idiopathic Parkinson's disease; and

spinal cord injury.

The HSE is committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy and to achieve the objectives of the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme which aims to: improve the quality of care; improve access to services and improve cost effectiveness. In this regard, both clinical and executive leads have been assigned and a national working group comprised of a team of experts has been established.

The HSE National Service Plan for 2012 outlines the focus for service development as follows:

The development of Regional Networks and local rehabilitation teams;

Development of regional in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation facilities;

Integration of services;

Development of protocols that will have mandatory compliance across the delivery system;

Reconfiguration of existing resources;

Achieving greater cost-effectiveness through the development of greater competencies by those tasked with delivering services;

Increased teamwork and using interdisciplinary approaches; and

More inter-agency collaborative working.

Key to the success of these developments will be the assignment of Regional Rehabilitation Medicine Consultants who will ensure that national best practice is implemented in each regional network, crossing the boundaries between acute and community services. The four regional leads have been assigned, however, it should be noted that these are not new posts and the task has been taken up by existing Consultants. There is now a clear policy with a recommended service framework, that, when implemented, will ensure that Neuro-Rehabilitation services are developed for those we serve in the most appropriate, effective and efficient way. I know that with the commitment of the Health Service Executive and service providers to the implementation process, we can achieve improved rehabilitation services for those persons with a neurological illness or injury or with a significant physical disability.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether Health Service Executive cuts disproportionately affect neurological charities; his plans to review this in 2012; his further views that the loss of services will place an additional care need burden; if this has been factored into the HSE budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13599/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The report entitled "National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 – 2015" was jointly commissioned by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and published in December 2011. The report sets out a clear policy with a recommended service framework that, when implemented, will ensure that the services are delivered in the most appropriate, most effective and most efficient way.

The report recognises that given the current economic climate, the focus in the short to medium term has to be on reconfiguration of services, structures and resources and the enhancement of the skills and competencies required to meet the changing context.

The HSE is committed to developing an implementation plan and an implementation structure for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services, in close collaboration with the HSE Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme.

In the current economic climate it is not possible to provide additional funding to charities.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Health the progress made on the implication of recommendations from the Irish Human Rights Commission report arising from the operation of a residential and day care centre for persons with a severe and profound intellectual disability, which was published in March 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware the Irish Human Rights Commission Enquiry Report into the provision of intellectual disability services by the Brothers of Charity Services to adults in the John Paul Centre, Galway was published in March 2010. The Report makes a number of recommendations which are directed at the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive and the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway. It is a matter for each organisation to consider the recommendations, as appropriate.

From a Department of Health perspective, the Report raises important questions regarding the current arrangements for funding, accountability and standards in our disability services. It is acknowledged that, despite considerable advances in the standard of service provision in recent years, more needs to be done to improve services. A number of important current initiatives will further advance the ability of the health services to more fully focus on meeting the needs of people with disabilities. My Department's ongoing Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services is considering how well the current substantial allocation of funding for disability services is being used, and is exploring the way forward for reconfiguration of these services, and their management and operation, so as to enable them to respond more effectively to individual needs. It is expected that the Review will be completed in the first half of 2012.

With regard to standards for residential services, HIQA has prepared and published standards for the sector, which outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a person with a disability, his or her family, and the public can expect to receive from such services. They clearly set out what a quality safe residential service for people with disabilities should be and support the delivery of person-centred care in this sector.

The Government is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people with disabilities in residential services are safeguarded and protected, and that their quality of life is enhanced. With this in mind, the current Programme for Government commits to mandatory standards for this sector and inspections of services by HIQA.

As I announced on 16th June last, discussions have begun between the Department of Health and HIQA to progress this commitment. Given the complex nature of residential service provision for people with disabilities, ranging from congregated settings to dispersed housing in the community, careful consideration is being given to designing the most appropriate regulatory model and this work is ongoing. A target date of Quarter 1 2013 has been provisionally set for the commencement of the proposed regulatory scheme.

In regard to the wider health sector, the HSE recently published the following reports: (1) 'New Directions- Personal Support Services for Adults with Disabilities'; (2) 'National Review of Autism Services' Provision within HSE'; and (3) 'Respite/Residential Care with Host Families in Community Settings'. A Review of the case for moving people from residential institutions (Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion) was published in July 2011, which the HSE is committed to implementing in a phased basis over the next 7 years.

Over the past few years disability service provision has begun to move towards a community-based and inclusive model and away from services delivered in institutional and segregated settings. The implementation of these reports by the HSE, alongside the Department's pending Value for Money and Policy Review and the introduction of standards for residential settings, will provide a catalyst for achieving more effective, person-centred disability service provision, in line with international best practice. All of these initiatives are informed by the principles of 'mainstreaming', community inclusion and individual choice and have the potential to change the nature of disability service delivery and supports in the coming years.