Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Health if he will set out the plans for the allied health professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists under his universal health insurance plans; the way these services will be provided; by whom; the persons who will employ such therapists; and the way they will be paid for. [24074/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, published by Government on 2 April 2014, indicates that under UHI citizens will have access to a package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. The White Paper also sets out policy proposals for the treatment of different service areas, which incorporates the services of allied healthcare professionals. UHI will focus on services delivered at the individual patient or client level, and allied healthcare professionals will have an important role in this approach.

The Government will shortly establish an Expert Commission to consider in detail the range of services to be included either within the UHI standard package of services or within the overall health basket. The inclusion of services delivered by allied healthcare professionals will be considered as part of that process. The Commission will consult widely and will present a series of options to Government. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children will also review the options presented by the Commission. The final decision on the services to be included in the UHI standard package and the overall health basket will be made by the Government. I am cognisant of the need for service integration at an operational level between services funded by the standard UHI package and those funded separately to UHI, both for individuals availing of the services and for those who provide the service.

I am keen to hear the views of allied healthcare professionals given the important role they play in the delivery of primary and community care. I would like to thank those who made a submission during the first consultation process, which focused on the White Paper and ran from 2 April until 28 May. I would encourage their full participation in the remaining consultation processes.