Services for People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Questions (619)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

619. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; when appropriate supports and services will be made available to cater for this person's health needs; if he will detail same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2728/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with disability including those with autism. Significant resources have been invested in recent years in the health sector in these services and the HSE provides a range of community and residential services including therapeutic services and respite. The HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children and young people with disabilities under its Progressing Disabilities Programme for Children and Young People (0-18 years). This aims to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered. A detailed action plan is being implemented with the following objectives:

- One clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need

- Resources used to the greatest benefit for all children and families

- Health and education working together to support children to achieve their potential.

The health and education sectors co-operate on a regular basis with a view to integrating their services for these children as much as possible and targeting them to areas of greatest need. At the same time there is a need to strengthen this co-operation and I am personally committed to this issue. I have established the Children, Adolescents and Young People with Complex Disabilities Unit in my Department led by a Principal Officer. This important development aims to foster greater collaboration between my Department, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on children’s disability issues including autism and to build on the cross-sectoral working arrangements that are already in place.

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.