I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, together.
All Health Service Executive areas have significant early intervention services in place for children with disabilities aged zero to eighteen years. These are provided directly by the HSE or by voluntary service providers funded by the HSE. At the same time, the HSE has recognised the need to improve the way in which both early intervention services and services for school-aged children are delivered. It is currently engaged in a major reconfiguration of its existing therapy resources for children with disabilities into multi-disciplinary geographically based teams, as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). The key objective of this Programme is to bring about equity of access to disability services and consistency of service delivery, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, where these children go to school or the nature of the individual child’s difficulties.
The Programme is a key priority for the HSE’s Social Care Directorate. An additional €4m was allocated in 2014 to assist in implementing the Programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts, and further investment in the Programme will take place in 2015. Further investment of €4m will be made in 2015 (equating to €6m in a full year).
Within this context, I have asked the Executive to provide the Deputy with the detailed information that he has requested. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
