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HSE Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Questions (39)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

39. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if the €8 million funding announced for therapy services for young persons in the 2016 Health Service Executive service plan has been released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/16]

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Written answers

The HSE have been advised that a sum of €58.5 million is being held back by the Department for specific initiatives as outlined in the 2016 National Service Plan. This includes €8 million for initiatives in therapy services for young people. The two initiatives are the continued implementation of the Progressing Disabilities Services Programme, including development of early intervention services to facilitate the integration of children with disabilities in mainstream preschool settings (€4 million), and a primary care speech and language waiting-list initiative (€4million). The release of held-back funding is subject to the HSE submitting a plan to the Department for approval, prior to the funding then being released.

A proposal was provided by the HSE in relation to continued implementation of the Progressing Disabilities Services Programme. The proposal was examined and approval was subsequently given to release the €4m in funding, which equates to approximately 75 additional therapy posts. Approval was also based on the understanding that 50 of these 75 posts are to be used to focus on developing early intervention services, including the implementation of the important new model on supporting access to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is being lead by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

In terms of Primary Care services nationally, the HSE has developed proposals to improve access to primary care speech and language therapy services and to address the waiting lists for assessment and therapy treatment. The details are currently being finalised by the HSE and my Department. The proposed initiative will include the appointment of new posts to address the current waiting lists for speech and language therapy services for 0 - 18 year olds. The additional capacity will address pending initial assessments and therapies. The HSE National Service Review Group is also examining primary care speech and language services so that decisions can be taken in relation to the longer term resource allocations which may require a redistribution of resource. Details of proposals will be announced shortly.

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