Vol. 541 No. 2
409 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the backup services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and child psychology which are being provided for all special educational units set up for autistic children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/01]
The national educational psychological service provides initial screening and assessment prior to the referral of pupils to the special educational units for autistic children. Schools who do not yet have the services of a psychologist from NEPS, may have such assessment as is necessary carried out privately in accordance with my recent announcement on this initiative. Support for pupils attending the units is also provided by the autistic teams, under the auspices of the relevant health boards.
410 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to a directive issued by his Department to the South-Eastern Health Board that acting allowances are to be taken into account in calculating premium payments, he will state when the board intends to implement the directive concerning a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the reason they have not done so to date; when a payment will be made to reimburse for losses incurred as a result of the board's failure to implement the directive; if the moneys due will carry a compound interest element to compensate for loss of earnings; when the board will apply this directive to other retired staff; and when the board will apply this directive to serving staff. [20879/01]
The HSEA has advised all employers of the eligibility of acting allowances for overtime calculation. In this regard the HSEA is in contact with the nursing unions regarding retrospection payments for current employees. It is proposed that pension adjustments will be processed on an application basis in respect of pensioners. With regard to the individual to whom the question refers, I have been informed by the South-Eastern Health Board that the revision of pension and lump sum has been completed, and that all outstanding arrears will be paid shortly. The Health Service Employers' Agency is currently in discussion with the relevant parties regarding the broader issue of when the directive will be applied to other retired nursing staff. I have been advised by the South-Eastern Health Board that it is currently looking at the necessary software changes to the payroll/superannuation system to implement the revised ruling on a current basis.
