Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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580. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a special education unit in a school (details attached) County Kildare does not have the same services as similar units in different parts of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2933/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Department of Education and Skills has primary responsibility for addressing the educational needs of children with disabilities. However the health sector has a role in terms of providing health- related supports to these children, where required.

The Health Service Executive is currently reconfiguring therapy resources for children with disabilities aged 0 to 18 years, including those with autism. Its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years ), established since 2010, seeks to bring consistency in service delivery and a clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need, regardless of where they live, which pre-school or school they attend or the nature of their disability. In practical terms this means that health professionals and parents will know exactly where a child should be referred and how to refer them. Services may be provided at primary care level or by early intervention and school age disability teams, with access to specialist services, according to the child's needs.

The Deputy's question relates to the provision of therapy supports by Beechpark services to a particular school. As this is a service matter I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.