Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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452. To ask the Minister for Health if he is committed to the national policy and strategy for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services; the funding he has allocated for it in 2015 and in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46089/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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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 and Strategy for Neuro-Rehabilitation Services. Once the implementation framework has been agreed by the Steering Group, it will go for consultation to the wider stakeholder interest groups. Following this consultation the framework will be revised and will guide and oversee the reconfiguration and development of Neuro-rehabilitation structures and services at national and local level, from within existing resources.

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.

Outside of the Clinical Programme, the HSE’s Disability Services Division has a role in certain key aspects of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services, primarily the provision of community based therapy services, and personal social services, often funded through partner service providing agencies in the non-statutory sector. The Disability Services Division will focus on Disability funded rehabilitation services in 2016, and enable reconfiguration of existing provision through the establishment of demonstration sites. Close links will be maintained with the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme to ensure that there is no duplication of effort and that all initiatives receive optimal support. Demonstration sites have been identified by Disability Services and mapping has commenced.