Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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393. To ask the Minister for Health the delay in the opening and commencement of operations at the new pancreas transplant unit at St Vincent's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28208/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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An extensive programme of work has been undertaken in St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) to enable the transfer of the Pancreatic Transplant Programme from Beaumont Hospital. This work included:

- the development and implementation of a multi-disciplinary team approach;

- the recruitment of additional personnel including an additional transplant surgeon, an additional transplant fellow, two transplant co-ordinators, a clinical nurse manager and a clinical facilitator for transplant in theatre;

- engagement with external parties;

- nurse education and training.

A delay in progressing the nurse education and training workstream has arisen due to an Industrial Relations issue which has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC are prioritising the setting of a date for this engagement.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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394. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the draft Implementation Plan for the National Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy in view of the concerns raised by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28213/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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As part of a review of access to and provision of specialist rehabilitation services, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health jointly published the National Policy & Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 – 2015. The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme was also established within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate of the HSE. The recommendations in the Report focused on the re-configuration of existing services, with no additional funding.

Currently, a steering group chaired by the Disability Programme in the HSE, with representation from the National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions & Neurological Alliance of Ireland has been assigned the task of developing an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation services. An implementation framework has been drafted and circulated for consultation to members of the steering group and stakeholder agencies. Given the lead role of the HSE in this consultation process, I have forwarded your question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.