Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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54. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the delays parents of autistic children are experiencing in accessing child and adult mental health services over the past 12 months; the reason children are being refused services at key developmental ages and experiencing delays that will impact on their future development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/17]

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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88. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he intends to comply with the Disability Act 2005, which lays out clear timelines for the assessment of need, in view of the fact that there is currently a backlog of 4,600 children; and when he expects this backlog to be cleared. [20735/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 88 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.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.