Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1398. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delays experienced by a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an assessment of need since June 2016 and despite receiving assurances to the contrary from the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer that they would receive an assessment of need within three months of January 2017, they are now informed that they will not be assessed until New Year 2018. [28289/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1399. To ask the Minister for Health the delays and backlogs which exist under early years intervention within the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer by county, in tabular form; and the number of children that have been assured of a three month assessment following the complaints procedure [28290/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Disability Appeals Officer received 118 appeal applications in 2016 with 12 applications carried over from 2015. The new appeals received represent a three fold increase in the number of appeals received in 2015 (36 applications received). The majority of the appeals received relate to delays in the completion of the Assessment of Need process by the HSE.

Where this is the case and the appeal is upheld, the Disability Appeals Officer issues a letter of Determination. This letter includes a request that assessment of needs be commenced, if not already commenced, and any Final Assessment Report and Service Statement, should they be entitled to one, need to be completed and issued without further delay.

The following table outlines the number and location by County of appeal applications received in 2016.

The number of Determinations made in 2016 amounted to 65 (11 of these were received in 2015). The number of appeals deemed invalid amounted to 11 (including 1 from 2015), the number withdrawn was 6 and the number of applications carried over into 2017 amounted to 48.