Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2015
125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views that children with disabilities in the care of the State or in voluntary care should receive equal supports and services as children who are legally on a full care order; if these young persons should have equal rights to access an independent advocate as adults with disabilities. [40779/15]
View answerThe eligibility of children, including children with a disability, to supports and services is not determined on the basis of whether a child is in care but on the basis of need. As the Deputy is aware, disability services are provided by the HSE.
The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, works closely with other care providers including the HSE, in respect of access to primary care services, child and adolescent mental health services, disability and other services. Tusla and the HSE have in place both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Protocol for inter-agency collaboration which underpins the provision of these services for children. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to set out the partnership agreement between the HSE and Tusla to continue pre-establishment levels of service across both organisations. The objective of the Joint Protocol is to specify a pathway and associated responsibilities for children and families whose needs cross between Health Service Divisions and Tusla.
Both the Memorandum of Understanding and the Joint Protocol are subject to regular monitoring and review to ensure that they are working effectively in the best interests of children and families.
