Written answers

Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Department of Health

Disability Support Services Provision

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

591. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm the additional resources that are being made available for children and young adults with autism in County Kerry in the 2014 Health Service Executive service plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6406/14]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Accountability for the management of services is a matter for the Health Service Executive to address within the ambit of its Vote (Vote 39). The level of health services to be delivered in 2014 within the available funding has been set out in the HSE’s National Service Plan, which was approved in December 2013.

The Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities, including autism, are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years) as part of the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).

The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, service providers (both statutory and non-statutory) and parents. These stakeholders are working together to see how current services can be reorganised in line with agreed policy.

The purpose of the reconfiguration of existing therapy resources is to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide health supports and ongoing therapy to all children (0-18 years) in line with their prioritised needs.

My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy concerning the specific local issues and particular case that he has raised.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.