Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
875. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the curtailment in Beechpark services, including occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, which is having a serious affect on the ability of north Dublin schools to provide a proper service for the children under their care. [1427/14]
View answerThe 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 for Children and Young People is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services for children with a disability including those with autism 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 that currently persist around the country.
The issue of service levels and funding to be provided for the disability sector is a matter for the HSE in the first instance and needs to be considered in 2014 in light of the resources available and the relevant service priorities. In general terms, HSE disability services are embarking on a large scale reform programme which will transform the model of service to a community-based model of person centred care. In 2014, the HSE are taking a number of key steps in implementing the change programme, including rolling out a new model of assessment and intervention, in line with the Progressing Disabilities Programme for Children and Young People. An additional €4 million has been allocated, which equates to 80 additional therapy staff, for these purposes.
Specifically in relation to Beechpark Services in North Dublin, in 2013, the HSE allocated funding to HSE Dublin North East for Beechpark Services, in order to address the waiting list for services in Dublin North East. This provided, in the first instance, for the recruitment of five therapy staff. This process is under way. The HSE also assigned a Disability Manager in Dublin North East to oversee the re-configuration of early intervention services for children and young people with disabilities in the region, in line with the national Progressing Disabilities Programme for Children and Young People. The Independent Expert Review Group, which was established to look at the Beechpark model of services, is also nearing completion. The Group has also been asked to consider and make recommendations on a resource allocation model for children’s disability services including autism across the HSE. The Group is currently consulting with the HSE on recent developments in respect of the Progressing Disabilities Programme for Children and Young People.
