Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration to discuss ‘Unmet Needs’ report with HSE

The meeting at 4.00pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from:

• Dr Cathal Morgan, Head of Operations, Disability Services;
• Angela O’Neill, National Disability Specialist with lead responsibility for Assessment of Need;
• Breda Crehan Roche, Chief Officer for Community Healthcare Organisation (Area 2);
• Professor Malcom MacLachlan, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for People with Disability.

Committee Chair Deputy Kathleen Funchion said: “This is our fourth meeting on the issues raised in the ‘Unmet Needs’ report from the Ombudsman for Children. Last December we held discussions with the Ombudsman and his officials, and then key stakeholders including parents and professionals who work with children with disabilities, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Disability.

“We heard concerns about the long waiting lists for the Early Intervention Scheme which can see children miss out on an Assessment of Needs. The Committee welcomes this opportunity to discuss the report with the HSE and what is being done to address the concerns raised by the Ombudsman and the stakeholders.”

The Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.