Covid-19 Tests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2020

Thursday, 8 October 2020

Questions (266)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

266. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists who have been reassigned to the Covid-19 testing and tracing response; the impact this has had on waiting lists for children waiting for assessments with occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and autism assessments; the timeline his Department is working towards to return all redeployed HSE staff to their original posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29393/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.