Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI Ireland) was honoured to welcome Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to its services in Glenageary and Dún Laoghaire this week. The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the vital neuro rehabilitation supports being delivered in her constituency, and to spotlight the growing need for further investment to address gaps in service access across the South Dublin and Wicklow region.

The Minister first visited ABI Ireland’s assisted living services on Adelaide Road, Glenageary. There, seven residents between the ages of 30 and 65 have access to 24/7 specialist rehabilitation support in a home-from-home environment across two properties, including ‘Anvers’, ABI Ireland’s first residence, which opened in 2002. The service plays a critical role in supporting individuals who, following a brain injury, are not yet able to return home and require time and expert guidance to rebuild their independence.

The Minister met with residents and staff to learn more about their lived experiences and the importance of community-based rehabilitation, before paying a visit to the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Side-by-Side Clubhouse in Dun Laoghaire. The Clubhouse is a vibrant space where members work together on their rehabilitation goals, gain new skills and peer support.

“Their work, in partnership with other specialist services – such as the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the new Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team to be established in our region – is a powerful example of integrated care in action, which is empowering dozens of brain injury survivors to live with autonomy, dignity and purpose.”

Dr Karen Foley, Chief Executive of ABI Ireland, thanked the Minister for her support and emphasised the critical role of neuro rehabilitation in the community:

“We were delighted to welcome Minister Carroll MacNeill today and to showcase our work in Glenageary and Dún Laoghaire. These services are essential in supporting individuals to adjust to life after brain injury and rebuild their lives in the heart of their communities.

“However”, continued Karen, “as in many areas across Ireland, services in South Dublin and Wicklow remain under-resourced. The absence of a fully staffed clinical team in this region restricts our ability to respond comprehensively to the needs of the local brain injury community and represents a wider geographic inequity in neuro-rehabilitation services nationwide. Access should never be determined by a person’s Eircode. We need investment locally and nationally to address the gaps. We know that rehabilitation works and is cost effective.

Our commitment is to work hand-in-hand with the HSE and Government to ensure every person has access to the rehabilitation they need to live a meaningful life after brain injury.”

Tommy Carlin, a resident of the assisted living service in Glenageary, recently moved in following an extended stay in an acute hospital due to a lack of suitable community supports.

“This place gives me the support I need in a way that respects me as a person”, said Tommy. “I’m not just a patient – I’m part of a community. The staff help me build my skills every day, and I’ve met people here who understand what I’ve been through.”

Pat Phelan, a survivor of brain injury and a former resident of the same house, also met the Minister and shared his journey of recovery:

“When I got my brain injury, my life changed overnight. The impact wasn’t just physical – it affected every part of my life, and my family’s too. The support I received here helped me rebuild my confidence, regain my independence and move back into the community.”

ABI Ireland supports over 1,300 survivors of brain injury annually through our wide range of services across Ireland, including assisted living, Clubhouses, in-home and community rehabilitation, case management and family and carer programmes. We are committed to delivering person-centred neuro rehabilitation to the very highest international standards and continues to advocate for equitable access to these services nationwide.