Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will protect funding for not-for-profit organisations that provide neurorehabilitation supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13783/13]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will invest in the implementation of the neurorehabilitation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13782/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 122 together.

The aim of neuro-rehabilitation is to enable the person to achieve the highest possible level of independence. Desired outcomes range from a return to full independence in social and work situations to a person requiring long-term support and care but with a higher level of independence than in the absence of neuro-rehabilitation. Current services available include acute hospital services; the National Rehabilitation Hospital; multidisciplinary community services; long-term assisted living supports; and rehabilitative training services. These services are provided directly by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and several non-statutory organisations.

The Department of Health and the HSE have developed and published the "National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 - 2015". In addition the HSE is developing its Rehabilitation Medicine Programme within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. The Report is the overarching policy on neuro-rehabilitation services and includes proposals for a framework for the future of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland and proposals on implementing the report including key elements such as guiding principles; implementation structure; methodology for implementation; and information and communication.

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

The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has been working in collaboration with the National Disability Unit as part of an expert Working Group planning for the implementation of the Report. The key priority areas, as identified in the HSE's National Operational Plan for 2013 are to map and develop Integrated Service Area level rehabilitation networks; and implement the model of care for rehabilitation services within the networks with a focus on community rehabilitation.

The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has incorporated key elements of the Report into its own Model of Care and adopted the Strategy's recommendation of "hub and spoke" model for specialist rehabilitation services and is keen to progress with a comprehensive model for the continuation of such service into the community.

With regard to funding agencies, this Government currently provides over €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the HSE's National Service Plan for 2013. We are committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities, including neuro-rehabilitation services, to the greatest possible extent. The Minister for Health is working to ensure that protection is afforded to the disability sector and the Social Care area as a whole. While the allocation for disability services in 2013 will be reduced by 1.2%, its share of the estimate reduction, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2012.