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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Questions (274, 275, 276)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

274. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason only €300,000 of €3 million funding that he announced in January 2013 has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31422/13]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

275. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the catchment areas that will benefit from the staff recruited at the Health Service Executive therapeutic unit for children with autism at (details supplied) in Dublin 9 following his allocation of €300,000 for north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31423/13]

View answer

Billy Kelleher

Question:

276. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason 30% of the €1 million funds spent on autism in 2013 went to north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31424/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 276, inclusive, together.

The HSE National Review of Autism Services: Past, Present and Way Forward Report (2012) and the Progressing Disabilities Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme set out the policy context for the provision of autism services to children and young people.

The objective of the Progressing Disabilities Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to the services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. This Programme aims to remedy the variations in service provision around the country. To assist in addressing some of these variations, I announced the allocation of €1m in funding for autism and early intervention services in 2012.

Beechpark is a regional, community-based HSE service which provides specialised clinical supports for children with a specific diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder up to 18 years of age, who attend designated special schools, outreach preschools and outreach classes in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. I approved €300,000 of this funding, which equates to five therapists posts, for Beechpark services in Dublin, north of the Liffey, based on the options contained in a report prepared by the HSE. This was to address the pressing needs of its catchment area, with a particular emphasis on reducing waiting times. The report also proposed an allocation for Beechpark in the Dublin Mid-Leinster region which was to be rolled out in year two.

Following ongoing discussions on the best way forward in relation to Beechpark Autism Services, the HSE has confirmed that the funding approved will be allocated to HSE Dublin North East in 2013 for Beechpark in order to address the waiting list for services in Dublin North East. This will provide, in the first instance, for the recruitment of the necessary five therapy staff. The catchment areas that will benefit are the Local Health Office areas of Dublin North, Dublin North Central and Dublin North West.

I also established an Independent Review Group in 2012, to look at the Beechpark model of services and how resources could be used in the best and most effective way, in light of the HSE Review of Autism Services and the re-organisation of services underway in line with the 0-18s Programme. Further funding in relation to Beechpark and other regions of the country, was put on hold, pending the outcome of this Review. I understand that this Review is expected to be concluded shortly.

The HSE has confirmed that the €300,000 is just a first step in 2013. The balance of funding for autism and early intervention services nationally will be made available. The issue of the allocation of these further resources will be required to be looked at, in light of the findings of the Independent Review.

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