Services for People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Questions (578)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

578. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans for the establishment of a database for children born with complex needs and rare conditions; if he has considered the merit of such information gathering, specifically in terms of more accurately measuring existing demographic trends and the enhanced forecasting of future service need, particularly concerning both the provision of health and education services; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty that the current absence of such readily available and accurate information is creating with regard to long-term planning and ensuring sufficient and adequate service provision for persons with such conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4354/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

There are no plans for the establishment of a database for children with complex needs and rare conditions.

With regard to services for people with disabilities, the Health Service Executive's two current Service Planning Databases in the disability sector are the National Intellectual Disability Database and the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database. The Health Research Board manages both of these databases on behalf of the Department of Health. The databases record current and future service needs, rather than being a registry of those with specific conditions. Health funded services for people with disabilities are provided on the basis of identified service needs, rather than linked to a specific diagnosis.

Forecasting in relation to education services is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.