Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014
728. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of children in the Dublin 15 area on waiting lists for speech and language therapy; the number who have been on the waiting list for less than six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 24 months, and more than 24 months; and the steps being taken to address the situation. [3889/14]
View answerSignificant resources have been invested by this country in recent years in services for children with disabilities. 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 specific issue of waiting times for therapy services, including speech and language therapy, is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
