Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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465. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which it is within his remit to consider the health needs of preschool children, with special needs, starting their education in September 2015, if he will ensure enough assessments are made available in good time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8080/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the provision of health and personal social services including disability services for children.The Executive is currently engaged in a major reconfiguration of its existing therapy resources for children with disabilities into multi-disciplinary geographically based teams, as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).The key objective of this Programme is to bring about equity of access to disability services and consistency of service delivery, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of the individual child’s difficulties, with health and education working together to support children to achieve their potential.

The Programme is a key priority for the HSE’s Social Care Directorate. An additional €4m was allocated in 2014 to assist in implementing the Programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts. Further investment of €4 million will also be made to support the development of therapy services in 2015 (equating to €6 million in a full year). Close collaboration between the health and education sectors on children's disability issues is greatly facilitated by the dedicated Cross Sectoral Team, which is in place, comprising representatives of the Departments of Health, Education and Skills, and Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE, NCSE and NEPS.

My Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of the detailed operational issues that she has raised concerning health needs encompassing therapy supports and assessments for pre-school children with a disability or development delay. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.