Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons registered as brain injured in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30641/12]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Health the facilities available for persons with brain injury post rehabilitation residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30643/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 565 together.

The aim of rehabilitation is to enable the person to achieve the highest level of independence as possible. Desired outcomes can range from return to full independence in social and work activities, to a requirement for long term support and care but with a higher level of independence than in the absence of rehabilitation. Current services available to persons with acquired brain injury include: Acute hospital services; the National Rehabilitation Hospital; Multi-disciplinary community services; Long term assisted living supports; Family Support, Home Liaison and Social Work; Psychological Services; Supported Employment and Rehabilitation training services. These services are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and a number of non-statutory organisations. Within Disability Services, the two main organisations that are funded by the HSE to meet the needs of service users with acquired brain injury nationally are Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and Headway Ireland. 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 the 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 selected were Acquired Brain Injury - other than stroke - ; Cerebral Palsy; Multiple Sclerosis; Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Cord Injury. The Health Service Executive (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. I am happy therefore that the HSE National Service Plan 2012 for the development of the neuro-rehabilitation services includes a focus on inter-agency collaborative working. 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 HSE and service providers to the implementation process, we can achieve improved neuro-rehabilitation services for those persons with a neurological illness or injury or with a significant physical disability.