Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce waiting times for children needing occupational therapy in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30669/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. Occupational Therapy has, as one of its core values, the principle of enabling people to remain in their own homes and communities.

I can advise the Deputy that the HSE National Therapy Service Review Group will address waiting lists in Occupational Therapy as a joint project across the Primary Care and Social Care Divisions. This will include a detailed analysis of waiting times and resource deployment across the country. The Group will consult with the professional bodies and other stakeholders with the aim of having better access to services and a standardised approach to the delivery of Occupational Therapy services across the country.

I am confident that the review will have a positive impact on the future delivery of Occupational Therapy services throughout the country.

As this question relates to occupational therapy service matters in Laois and Offaly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.