Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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682. To ask the Minister for Health if he will undertake a full audit of brain injury services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11843/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There are no proposals to undertake a full audit of brain injury services in Ireland. Brain injury health services are provided across a range of settings, by different organisations and by many health professionals and carers. The Health Service Executive provides for the health needs of those affected by brain injury through a range of measures. The HSE Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate have a number of clinical programmes that are working in the area of neurology, including Neurology, Epilepsy, Stroke and Rehabilitation Medicine. The clinical programmes are focusing on reducing waiting times/lists, addressing disease specific pathways and models of care with a view to developing a national framework for the management of long-term neurological conditions. The HSE also provide services for those with brain injury through Primary Care Teams with community based therapy services and personal social services, often funded through partner agencies in the non-statutory sector. The National Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy made a number of recommendations for services for people with rehabilitation needs. An implementation framework for the Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy is being developed by both the HSE Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme and the HSE Disability Services Division. The HSE also provides substantial funding to a number of organisations such as Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Headway Ireland, Enable Ireland, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland among others, to provide supports and services to people with a neurological condition.

The Government recognises that neurological illness or injury has significant implications for the individual and their family and impacts on their health, social, educational, vocational and recreational participation. It is important that the continuum of services and supports required are made available by the health system and by those other State agencies to provide specific services, consistent with their statutory remit. On the health side, waiting times, access, treatment and quality of care are priorities for reform for this Government, despite budgetary constraints.