Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1412. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for an autism diagnostic assessment for children nationally; his views on whether a six to eight month wait in Cork North Lee is acceptable; the way he plans to tackle these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37739/13]
View answerSignificant resources have been invested by this country in recent years in services for children with disabilities, including those with autism. The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for these children, having regard to available resources.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a national programme of reconfiguring therapy resources for children with disabilities, including autism, with a view to ensuring there is more equitable access to services for children, according to their individual needs. Established since 2010, the national re-configuration programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Disability Services for Children aged 5-18.
A key objective of the HSE’s Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme (0-18 years ) is to ensure there is a clear pathway for all children to the services they need regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability or developmental delay. In practical terms this means that health professionals and parents will know exactly where a child should be referred and how to refer them. A fundamental principle underlying the Programme is that children should receive the health services they need as close to their home and school as possible. Some children may have their needs met by their local primary care services. An Early Intervention Team and a School Age Team will look after all children with more complex needs in a defined geographic network area, regardless of the nature of their disability. These Teams will be supported by specialist services in areas requiring a high level of expertise. The Programme supports the principle of providing access to mainstream education where appropriate while also recognising a continuing role for special schools.
The Programme is rolling out at national, regional and local level and involves representatives from the health and education sectors, statutory and non-statutory service providers and parents working together to see how current services can best be re-organised. It is supported by a National Co-ordinating Group that has representation from the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills and other key stakeholders. Decisions regarding any local re-organisation of services are the responsibility of Local Implementation Groups which include representatives of the service providers involved, parents and educational sector representatives.
Local Implementation Groups have been established by the HSE South to progress implementation of the Programme across the region, including in Cork. It is envisaged that the current intellectual disability/autism services in Cork will be re-configured into the network Teams being established there under this Programme.
The specific issue of waiting times for assessment is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
