Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Wall for raising this important issue for discussion in the House. I want to be completely clear that the development of any child with a disability to reach his or her full potential remains a matter of utmost importance for this Government. I am aware that the provision of a timely and effective assessment process that works for children and families is an area of ongoing focus for my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Health Service Executive.

The principle of early intervention is recognised by both the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the HSE, particularly in the context of the services and supports it provides to children with disabilities and their families. In line with this, the HSE focus has been to develop a strategy for services that is reflective of the best national and international practice. The backlog for assessments of need has been caused by a number of factors, including rising numbers of applications due to general population increases; staffing shortages being experienced by children's development network teams, CDNTs, across the country; and the impact of the High Court judgment of March 2022, which directed that the standard operating procedure used to address backlogs did not fulfil the requirements of the Disability Act 2005. Assessments of need are being progressed in line with the revised clinical guidance developed on foot of the High Court judgment, which has been clinically approved and allows for clinicians to exercise their professional judgment on the scope and extent of each assessment. Accordingly, assessments can range in duration, having regard to the complexity of the child's presenting needs.

On CHO 7, the HSE advises that there are 1,935 children waiting and assessments of need outstanding as of late summer 2023. A more recent figure is not available due to the ongoing industrial action within the HSE affecting administrative and managerial grades. I am aware that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has ongoing engagement with national and local HSE management and as a result of the launch of the progressing disability services roadmap last month, there are planned measures to alleviate the backlog, including outsourcing assessments to private clinicians to improve capacity. Funding of €11.5 million was allocated in 2023 to procure diagnostic assessments from the private sector. However, this sector is also experiencing staff supply issues. The measures also include the establishment of the regional assessment hubs, which will assist each CHO in the reduction of waiting times. At present, all assessment of need referrals are managed centrally by the regional team based in Naas. The measures also include an extensive recruitment programme to enhance CDNT's capacities so that any assessments of need and therapy interventions can be delivered. The building of the CDNT's capacity is a critical component for the HSE to achieve its objectives for children's services.

Among the many initiatives being pursued in the recruitment space, the HSE advises of the launch of a targeted initiative to recruit Irish health and social care professional, HSCP, graduates who have gone overseas. A competitive relocation package has been launched to facilitate overseas recruitment and all 2023 HSCP graduates who are successful at interview are being offered multiple permanent opportunities.These measures, among others, are part of a national campaign and are intended to benefit all CHO areas.

I assure the House that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, continues to work closely with the Department and the HSE to address the issue of delays in assessments of need via the roadmap drive to make progress on the challenges to ensure the fundamental requirements of children with disabilities and their families are met in a timely manner.