Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for his contributions and highlighting this important issue. I reassure the House that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will continue with the Department and the HSE to drive progress on both the reinstatement of therapists in special schools in Carrigaline and elsewhere across the country, and increasing the availability of respite services to children with disabilities.

The Deputy compared the situation with one in Enniscorthy, spoke of how these issues could be resolved and made a point about the nurse at the school. I will bring these points back to the Minister of State and her officials to consider. The HSE has relayed to the Department of Health the level of activity and engagement taking place within the HSE on the issue of special schools, from the CEO all the way to the heads of service and lead agencies. The HSE has left us in no doubt that it has heard the message from the Department and is doing everything possible to accelerate support to schools.

I can report that the Minister of State recently held very positive discussions with the CEO of the HSE, Mr. Bernard Gloster, on ensuring that priority is afforded to children's disability services. I assure the House that the Minister of State and her officials will continue to engage with HSE senior management to drive enhancements in disability services for children in Carrigaline and the rest of the country. Again, I thank the Deputy for raising these points. I will bring the specific elements he has raised back to the officials and the Minister of State.

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