Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
763. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in counties Laois and Offaly; the length of time that these children have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/22]
View answerThe Progressing Disability Services Programme for Children and Young People is being rolled out across each HSE Community Healthcare Organisation.In Laois and Offaly there are three (3) Children’s Disability Network Teams, namely Network 12 (covering Portlaoise, Stradbally, Mountrath, Borris in Ossary, Abbeyleix and Ballickmoyler), Network 11 (covering Mountmellick, Portarlington and Edenderry) and Network 10 (covering Banagher, Birr, Clara, Daingean, Shinrone and Tullamore). Waiting lists are not kept for individual disciplines as this does not reflect the nature of the support provided for children with complex needs. There will be one multi-disciplinary team which will provide a more integrated model of service delivery. The Children’s Disability Network Teams in Laois /Offaly are currently reviewing all children within the service and in the process of planning and delivering on Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for children within the service. An IFSP is an Individual Family Support Plan and is developed by the family, child and the members of the CDNT. It guides how the team supports the child. This is a process which requires getting to know the child and their needs (if not already known), preparing the family to create the IFSP and the development of the document along with the development of the supports to address the identified goals which include universal, targeted, and individual supports. Each IFSP is estimated to take up to 12 clinical hours across 2-3 staff to develop over a period of 6 weeks. This does not include the supports delivered after the IFSP to meet the goals and priorities identified. There are currently 810 children who are registered with Network 12. It is estimated 450 children with complex needs will require an IFSP within the model of service. There are 643 children who are registered with Network 11, of which an estimated 360 children with complex needs will require an IFSP. In Network 10 there are 1100 children currently registered with the team, of which an estimated 700 children with complex needs will require an IFSP. Children with non-complex needs will likely not receive an IFSP, but will require Multi-Disciplinary Team supports. There are some children where the complexity of needs has not been confirmed and the CDNTs are planning to make contact with these families to further understand their needs.
