Departmental Policies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Questions (1016)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1016. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any legislative or policy impediment preventing private, not-for profit, voluntary services delivering care or services on behalf of the State for children with additional educational needs accepting disability, educational or psychological assessments which have been paid for by parents privately, or if there is a framework list of such private psychologists and so on from which they must access such assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27121/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the ability of parents to obtain an assessment of need from the HSE, the current challenges around same and the alternative avenues that may be explored by parents to accelerate the assessment process for their children.

Form a Departmental perspective, there is no direct impediment that would prevent children from accessing care of services via the means outlined in the Deputy's question. However, I am aware that the HSE has it's own clinical guidance which governs the submission of external assessments for the purpose of the AON process, particularly in the context of the multidisciplinary nature of the assessment of need.

In this regard, and to provide the most comprehensive answer possible on the issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.