Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3197. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a breakdown of waiting times for assessment of needs in each of the CHO regions will be provided; and when the appointment of specialists in the area will commence to alleviate the extensive delays. [40750/21]
View answer3198. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment of needs appointments in CHO1; the breakdown of specialists working within the CHO1 assessment of needs area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40753/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3197 and 3198 together.
The assessment of need process consists of two stages, the first stage is a review of the referral to the assessment of need process by an assessment officer which is an administrative exercise. The child is then referred to stage 2, if appropriate, which is for clinical assessment.
Due to the recent cyber-attack the latest information available from the HSE is that 1,110 applications were due to commence stage 2 of the Assessment of Need process at 31st March 2021.
Having regard to the remainder of the Deputy's Question, as it relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
