Written answers

Thursday, 1 December 2016

Department of Health

Disabilities Assessments

Photo of Gino KennyGino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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82. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that, according to the HSE, in cases of completed applications received for an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005, between 2011 and 2015, less than two thirds of assessment reports were completed and of those completed, less than two thirds had service statements completed despite the clear requirements of the Act to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/16]

Photo of Margaret Murphy O'MahonyMargaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Health the reason so many children are not getting assessments for disability within the time set down in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38017/16]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 85 together.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

It is important to note that HSE has recognised that early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities need to be improved and organised more effectively and this process is well under way. I would like to emphasise that there has been continual additional investment in this area in order to support the HSE as it faces significant challenges in respect of meeting the statutory time-frames which apply to the assessment of need process.

Since 2014, the roll out of the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme has entailed targeted investment of €14m and the provision of 275 additional therapy staff, to increase services for children with all disabilities. The HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years). The objective of the new model of assessment and intervention is to provide one clear referral pathway for all children (0-18s), irrespective of their disability, where they live or the school they attend.

It is expected that this re-configuration of services will have a significant impact on our ability to meet the needs of children and young people in a more efficient, effective and equitable manner and, in particular, on our ability to comply with the statutory time-frames set out in the Disability Act and the accompanying regulations.

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