Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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858. To ask the Minister for Health his position on the plans developed by the Health Service Executive to roll out the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme; if he is satisfied with the nature of the plans for the reconfiguration of early intervention services; if he will confirm that the target of full implementation of the model as scheduled for the end of 2015 will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33273/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with a disability, including early intervention services, within available resources. These services are in the process of being reconfigured under the HSE’s National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).

The aim of the Progressing Disability Services Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. It also seeks to ensure that resources are used to the greatest benefit of all children and families and that health and education strategies work together to support children in achieving their potential. The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, non-statutory service providers and parents. It is envisaged that the Programme, when implemented, will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children who require access to health related supports. An additional €4m has been specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. Following detailed consideration by the Executive, these additional therapy posts have now been allocated and the recruitment process to fill same is currently underway.

The HSE's Social Care Division has indicated in its 2014 Operational Plan that the Programme is being implemented on a phased basis, with full implementation scheduled for the end of 2015. Accordingly, I have arranged for the Deputy's query in relation to this target to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.