Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

16. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the HSE fell short of its target for the establishment of children’s disability network teams in 2017. [17105/18]

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

The HSE is rolling out the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme.  This Programme entails the reconfiguration of all current HSE and HSE funded children’s disability services into geographically-based Children’s Disability Network Teams.

The Programme aims to achieve a nationally equitable approach to service provision for all children based on their individual need and regardless of where they live or where they go to school.

Some HSE Areas have already reconfigured into interdisciplinary Children’s Disability Network Teams. A total of 56 networks are in place. The remaining 82 teams are developing their reconfiguration and implementation plan and will be reconfigured in 2018. HSE Areas currently planning reconfiguration continue to have significant Early Intervention and School Age Services in place, provided either directly by the HSE or by voluntary service providers funded by the HSE.

A key enabler to the establishment of the remaining Children’s Disability Network Teams is the recruitment of Children’s Disability Network Managers. The grade and role for this post has been agreed with the Department of Health and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  Following the outcome of a protracted IR process with FORSA, a process of mediation is currently on-going with the relevant Lead Agencies, including key voluntary providers, to agree a path forward for recruitment of these posts. This process is due to conclude shortly, following which the recruitment process will commence.