I propose to take Questions Nos. 851 to 853, inclusive, and 857 together.
The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with a disability, including early intervention services, within available resources. These services are in the process of being reconfigured under the HSE’s National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
The aim of the Progressing Disability Services Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, non-statutory service providers and parents. It is envisaged that the Programme, when implemented, will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children who require access to health related supports. An additional €4m has been specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. Following detailed consideration by the Executive, these additional therapy posts have now been allocated and the recruitment process to fill same is currently underway.
The specific queries raised by the Deputy regarding the implementation of the Programme, including the impact of the additional €4m investment, the recruitment of therapists, the current status of Local Implementation Groups and Early Intervention and School Age Network Teams and consultation with stakeholders are operational matters for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the Deputy's questions to be referred to the Executive for direct reply to him.