Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2005

Department of Health and Children

Special Educational Needs

9:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which parents of children with a moderate, severe or profound mental handicap and-or autism in Laois and Offaly can access pre-school services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34324/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The direct provision of pre-school services which are educational in focus is not part of the remit of the health services. The HSE, through the former health boards, has, however, over the years and within the resources available to it, grant-aided some special needs specific pre-school services, in addition to assisting individual children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-school services. While primary responsibility for the support of children with special educational needs aged between nought and five approximately rests with the health services under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, the National Council for Special Education Services has a role in providing appropriate educational support services for this group. This is reflected in the fact that additional funding has been specifically committed, through the Department of Education and Science, to assist the council to enhance access to these services over the period 2006 to 2009 as part of the national disability strategy. Discussions are at an exploratory stage between my Department and the Department of Education and Science in relation to the progression of this matter.

The provision of health services in Laois and Offaly is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which parents of children with a moderate, severe or profound mental handicap and-or autism in Laois-Offaly can access multidisciplinary child psychiatry team assessments and therapeutic interventions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34334/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

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