Speech and Language Therapy

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Questions (851)

Tom Fleming

Question:

851. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will make additional resources available and appoint additional occupational therapists and speech and language therapists for children with autism and special needs in County Kerry between the age of 0 and 18 years; if he will take into consideration that there are cases in the county in which occupational therapists are working a two and a half day week, looking after up to 250 clients; if he will provide a detailed report in respect of the additional resources and services that he will make available for young adults over 18 years of age with autism and special needs in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1276/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities, including autism, are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years) as part of the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).

The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, service providers (both statutory and non-statutory) and parents. These stakeholders are working together to see how current services can be reorganised in line with agreed policy.

The purpose of the reconfiguration of existing therapy resources is to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide health supports and ongoing therapy to all children (0-18 years) in line with their prioritised needs.

My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the issues raised concerning service provision in County Kerry for children and young adults with special needs, including autism.