Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 288: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her Department's policy for the provision of speech therapy; the guidelines issued to the service providers with regard to waiting time for assessment and speech therapy to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5980/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy may be aware one of the four principles guiding the Department of Health and Children's health strategy "Quality and Fairness A Health System for You", is People-centredness and one of its four goals is "Fair Access". As part of this initiative, the Government launched the National Disability Strategy, in 2004 as a framework of positive action measures to support the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society. Two new pieces of legislation — the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 and the Disability Act, 2005 form an integral part of this Strategy, along with the suite of six sectoral plans, launched in 2006.

In addition, a sum of €74m was allocated in the 2006 Budget and €75m in Budget 2007 (both for revenue purposes) to the Health Service Executive for disability services. This sum incorporates the 2006 and 2007 elements of the Government's Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing, among other services, the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

To date, for the Deputy's information, this Government's investment in disability and primary services has resulted in a significant growth in speech and language therapy services, the quadrupling of training places for speech and language therapists since 2003 and a 112% growth in numbers of WTES (whole time equivalents) between 1997 and mid-2006.

As outlined in the Sectoral Plan of my Department, which was published in July 2006, Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 will commence for children aged less than 5 years with effect from 1st June 2007. This prioritisation reflects the importance of intervention early in life, which can have a significant impact on the disabling effects of a condition or impairment. Part 2 will be commenced in respect of children aged 5-18 in tandem with the implementation of the EPSEN Act. The statutory requirements of Part 2 of the Disability Act will be extended to adults as soon as possible but no later than 2011.

In relation to children under 5, an assessment report will result in a service statement which will outline the services which will be made to the applicant based on the findings of the assessment report. In addition, the service statement will indicate when provision will be made available. Section 13 of the Disability Act, 2005 imposes significant requirements on the HSE to maintain and keep records in relation to a number of issues including, the numbers and identities of people to whom assessments and services were provided, the services provided and the persons providing them, and the aggregate needs identified in assessment reports which have not been included in service statements. This information will be reported to me on an annual basis and a report will be published by the HSE within a month of its submission to me. This process will help indicate where service developments are to be focussed into the future.

As the balance of 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.

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 289: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her Department's policy with regard to the provision of orthodontic services; the waiting period to avail of such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5981/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.