Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I outlined in my opening statement, the challenges in meeting the demand for children's disability services are well recognised, in addition to the impact of these challenges on children and their families.I hope the Senators are reassured by what I said on the commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Government to improving access for children with special needs to specialist therapies, such as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. These service improvements, which I referred to in my earlier contribution, will ensure better access to services for all children who need supports. I know from working closely with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in the Department of Health that she meets each area lead on disability services in each CHO on a regular basis. Two CHOs have already met their target of seeing all children who are waiting for an assessment of needs. The Minister of State expects, notwithstanding the difficulties with Covid and face-to-face interactions, that all should be met by the end of May. I have no doubt that with the 100 extra therapists put in place, this should happen.

The critical need for and importance of disability supports for people and their families at this unique time in our history are acknowledged. The impact of Covid on people's lives continues to be significant. The primary objectives of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and the Government as a whole are to restore face-to-face services and ensure continuity of services in a safe way for children and adults. The common goal of families, health services, schools, public representatives and society is to work together to support and empower children in developing their full potential. It is also important to point out, because the issue got a lot of traction in the news in recent weeks, that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has agreed with the HSE to pause the removal of therapists from all special schools who deliver on-site therapy while further engagement takes place. I should note, on behalf of the Minister of State, that this work has been done. I will bring the Senators' comments on the letters back to the Minister and I thank them for their time.