Written answers

Thursday, 6 February 2014

Department of Health

Autism Support Services

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Health the services available for children with autism and ASD in the south Kildare area, with particular reference to a school in County Kildare; the services provided by a company (details supplied); the median waiting time for initial assessment in south Kildare; the numbers waiting for initial assessment; his plans to address the duration of waiting times and the provision of services for children in south Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5940/14]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Significant resources have been invested by this country in recent years in services for children with special needs. The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for these children, having regard to available resources.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a national programme of reconfiguring therapy resources for children with disabilities, including autism, with a view to ensuring there is more equitable access to services for children, according to their individual needs. The national re-configuration programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Disability Services for Children aged 5-18. A key objective of the HSE’s Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme(0-18 years ) is to ensure there is a clear pathway for all children to the services they need regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability or developmental delay. The Health Service Executive's Social Care budget has targeted investment in the area of Disability Services of €14m for a number of developments, including €4m for the roll out of the Progressing Disability Programme. This should equate to approximately 80 additional therapy staff to increase services for children with disabilities.

The particular issues raised by the Deputy are operational service matters for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

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