Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
18. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005; and the number of assessments that are overdue for each local health office area, in tabular form. [20750/17]
View answerThe Disability Act 2005 provides for an assessment of the needs of eligible applicants occasioned by their disability. The assessment of need must commence within three months of receipt of a completed application and must be completed within a further three months.
There were a total of 3,960 applications overdue for completion at the end of 2016.
The HSE recognises that it faces significant challenges in respect of meeting the statutory time-frames which apply to the assessment of need process. Targeted action plans have been in place since early 2011 and measures have included prioritising assessments, holding additional clinics, using therapist in private practices and reconfiguring resources to target areas of greatest need.
In accordance with the Social Care Operational Plan 2017, the HSE has committed to improving Disability Act compliance for assessment of need with a particular emphasis on putting in place improvement plans for CHOs that have substantial compliance challenges.
The above measures will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children requiring access to health related supports. It is expected that the reconfiguration of services under Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme will have a significant impact on our ability to comply with the statutory time-frames set out in the Disability Act and the accompanying regulations
The requested breakdown in tabular format will be forwarded to the Deputy.
