Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to shortages in therapy services for students in special schools; and her plans to ensure an adequate level of such support services. [38810/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way services for children with disabilities are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to multi-disciplinary geographic based teams for children as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). This aims to ensure that there is:

- One clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need.

- Resources used to the greatest benefit for all children and families, and

- Health and Education working together to support children to achieve their potential

The HSE is working very closely with stakeholders including those in the education sector in the development of the Programme, to ensure that, from the children's and parents' perspective, the services provided by each sector in so far as possible are integrated. While the Programme supports the principle of providing access to mainstream education where appropriate, it also recognises the important continuing role of special schools.

An additional €4m has been specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme which equates to approximately 80 therapy posts.