The brother of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen says their family hopes to have him home in the next few weeks.
He has been recovering since a suspected bleed on the brain last July.
He was also treated for fluid on a lung last April, having become unwell at a golf event.
Mr Cowen served in various Cabinet positions under Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern, before becoming Taoiseach in 2008 following the resignation of Mr Ahern.
He remained in the role until 2011, and retired from politics the same year.
His brother, newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen, told The Hard Shoulder: "He's very well thanks - he's making steady progress, moving in the right direction.
"It's been a long year but it's been one which he has committed himself to the help and assistance that he's being given from the medical team out there in Vincent's and in Donnybrook.
"And we want to pay tribute to them, who have worked tirelessly for him and for many others during the course of the COVID crisis especially, and ensured that they could continue the pathway to recovery.
"He's no different than anybody else in that regard, and we look forward to having him home in six weeks or so".
