Funding for neuro-rehabilitation teams warmly welcomed

A budget allocation of €3m nationally into community neuro-rehabilitation teams (CNRT) has been hailed, as there are currently no neuro-rehabilitation beds in the South West region.

In their pre-budget submission, the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) called on the HSE for urgent investment into a minimum of 20 neuro-rehabilitation beds across Cork and Kerry.

The Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley, and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, announced this month that €3m has been allocated in Budget 2026 for the development and continued expansion of CNRTs.

CNRTs are specialist HSE teams that provide intensive therapy to people in their homes or a clinic, as opposed to a hospital setting.

This provides people with earlier access to specialist neuro-rehabilitation, in a person centred service.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for the HSE’s South West branch said the service is working on plans to develop an inpatient unit to serve neuro-rehabilitation patients across the South West region.

“While there are currently no in- patient neuro-rehabilitation beds in the South West region, HSE South West is currently engaging with stakeholders nationally and locally around the provision of such a service,” the spokesperson said.

“This would involve establishing a 20-bed neuro-rehabilitation unit which would serve the needs for the entire region of Cork and Kerry.

“Plans for this service are underway, and HSE South West is working to ensure that the people of the region have access to the highest quality care in the most appropriate location.

“No further details will be available until we conclude this consultation process.”

A 2024 HSE report on the national post-acute inpatient rehabilitation mapping project revealed a shortfall of 175 specialist neuro-rehabilitation beds across the country, with only 131 of the minimum recommended 306 beds in place.

There is a minimum requirement of 60 inpatient neuro-rehabilitation beds per million population, which translates to approximately 44 beds needed for the region.

While Budget funding has not been specifically allocated for the provision of additional neuro-rehabilitation beds, Magdalen Rogers, who is the CEO of the NAI, said the funding allocation for CNRT’s represents a “strong signal” of recognition from Government.

“We warmly welcome the Budget announcement responding to the key recommendation in our pre-Budget submission for investment in community neuro-rehabilitation teams,” said Ms Rogers.