Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
310. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement he has held on the matter of children's disability network teams in the past six months. [15561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently officials in my Department are engaging on an on-going basis with officials from the Department of Health on all disability policy matters, as part of the work underway to prepare for the Transfer of Specialist Community Based Disability Services from the Department of Health to my Department.
My Department provides specialist support for children with additional needs in early learning and care services through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). AIM is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access and meaningfully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme. AIM offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability. It should be noted that a formal diagnosis of disability does not guarantee additional supports under AIM, as it may be found that existing supports are sufficient to ensure a child’s meaningful participation in the ECCE programme.
The HSE form part of our structures and as lead on 40 Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT), we engage from time to time on issues of assessment of need for supports. The types of supports range from specific equipment and capital grants to assessing appropriate medical supports for children to enable them to attend preschool. Throughout recent weeks and months officials have provided detailed briefing to me on Children's Disability Network Teams and related issues. I have strongly supported and welcomed the significant additional funding provided in this year’s budget to the HSE to enhance the development of Children’s Network Disability Teams across the country.
The recently approved and published HSE National Service Plan demonstrates a strong commitment by the HSE to continued improvement in disability services. I very much welcome the recent publication of the Disability Capacity Review which it is hoped will provide a future road map for expansion and improvement of disability services.
In addition I meet regularly with Minister Rabbitte on all important areas.
