Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Health to ensure all persons with a disability who need speech and language and therapy services get adequate services in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3327/16]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with special needs, including those with autism, and to improving access by these children to therapy services insofar as possible within available resources.

Health related therapy supports and interventions for children, such as speech and language therapy, can be accessed through both the Health Service Executive's primary care services and its disability services, depending on the level of need. It is estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social service needs can be met within a primary care setting and most children with a disability or developmental delay will have their needs met by their local primary care services. The specialist disability services look after children with more complex needs, including autism.

Additional funding of €20m was allocated in 2013 to strengthen primary care services and to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line posts, including over 260 additional posts for Primary Care Teams, of which 52 were speech and language therapy posts. In addition, the HSE has introduced a number of initiatives specifically in relation to speech and language therapy such as therapists increasing clinic based work instead of domiciliary work and providing family centred interventions in a group as opposed to a one-to-one setting, whenever possible. This will help address the issue of waiting lists and ensure that services are delivered in as equitable a manner as possible, within available resources.

The HSE is also currently engaged in a major re-organisation of its existing therapy resources for children with disabilities, including autism, aged up to eighteen years, into geographically based specialist multi-disciplinary teams, as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). The key objective of the Programme is to enhance 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 transition to this new model is taking place on a phased basis and includes consultation and engagement with stakeholders, including service users and their families. The Programme is a key priority for the Executive's Social Care Directorate. An additional €4 million was specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme, equating to approximately 80 therapy posts, including 27.5 speech and language therapy posts. Further investment of €4 million (equating to €6 million in a full year) was provided in 2015 to support ongoing implementation of the Programme. It is anticipated that this additional investment will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services to all children with disabilities, including those who need speech and language therapy inputs.

Improving access to therapy services for children in primary care and in disability services remains a particular priority for the Government. Within this context, funding is being provided in 2016 to expand the provision of speech and language therapy through primary care services and to support the reorganisation and expansion of speech and language and other therapies under the Progressing Disability Services Programme. Full implementation of the Progressing Disability Services Programme is expected before the end of 2016.

The provision of speech and language therapy services to persons with a disability is an operational matter for the HSE and I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. 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 you.