Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Minister for Health the reason no plan is in place to develop services across the pathway four years after the publication of the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy, given the lack of suitable rehabilitation services from the hospital and back to the community for persons (details supplied) living with an acquired brain injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40493/15]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be an investment programme in rehabilitation services at every stage, including the development of regional in-patient rehabilitation units, intensive rehabilitation after the hospital stay, and long-term community-based supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40494/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

A Steering Group led by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division, with representation from the National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland has been assigned the task of developing an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-Rehabilitation Services. The Steering Group is finalising an implementation framework, which will be released for consultation in the coming weeks. The work of the Steering Group is overseen by an operational lead and a clinical lead. The Steering Group is proposing a two phased approach to implementation which will begin at Community Healthcare Organisation level and expand to in-patient specialist rehabilitation services, with connectivity across all service delivery sites.

In August 2015, my colleague, the Minister for Health, announced an additional €15 million for the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire. This allocation will now enable the NRH and the HSE to proceed with a new 120 bed building on the Dun Laoghaire campus. The redeveloped facility will be purpose built to accommodate integrated therapy services, hydrotherapy and sports facilities.

As the Deputy's questions regarding facilities for young people with Acquired Brain Injury and plans for regional and community rehabilitation supports relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.