Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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277. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 485 of 6 May 2015, if he will provide details of the work, remit and terms of reference of the health and education steering committee; the number of times it has met; the progress and outputs to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19460/15]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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330. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work and outputs of the Health Service Executive's national programme on progressing disability services for children and young people; the structure in place within the executive to ensure progress; the directorate it comes under; the number of meetings, consultations and so on it has held with community groups; if it reports regularly on the executive's website; the impact it has had to date; its forthcoming plans; the funding allocation it receives and disseminates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19462/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 330 together.

An interdepartmental Cross Sectoral Team (CST) with membership drawn from the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has been in place for a number of years to facilitate a more collaborative approach at national level across the sectors on issues of mutual concern pertaining to children with disabilities. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs, which was established in 2011, has also been included in the CST membership in order to strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration.

The CST on foot of the Report drawn up by the Education and Health Working Group of the HSE Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People agreed to the establishment of a National Health and Education Steering Group. The purpose of the Steering Group (a sub group of the CST) is to promote closer collaboration on children's disability issues, based on departmental policies, across the health, education and children and youth affairs sectors with particular reference to the development of guidance on local structures/linkages/protocols to facilitate a more joined up approach across the sectors as recommended in the Report. The Steering Group has met on five occasions since it was established in mid 2014 and is currently examining the issue of local Education and Health Fora including their possible form and function. It will be reporting back to the CST on this issue later in the year.

The Health Service Executive, which has statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing health related therapy resources for children with disabilities, including autism, to multi-disciplinary geographically based teams as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years,which was produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children.

The Programme aims to bring about equity and consistency, 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 child's difficulties. The Programme is a key priority for the Executive's Social Care Directorate in 2015. An additional €4 million was specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. A further additional €4m (full year cost of €6m) has been allocated this year to assist in implementing the Programme.

I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with the detailed operational information she has requested concerning its Progressing Disability Services Programme. 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.