Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Health his views regarding the HSE’s implementation of the standard operating procedure for the assessment of need (details supplied). [23038/18]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Health his views on concerns being expressed regarding the HSE’s implementation of the standard operating procedure for the assessment of need, specifically the limited time allocated for the assessment of need, and that this may result in ineffective intervention pathways being imposed on a child. [23039/18]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Health if with regard to the HSE’s implementation of the standard operating procedure for the assessment of need he is of the view that to make a decision on whether a child may require further diagnostic assessment, for example, for ASD, based on one clinic visit without seeing the child in other settings and environments is not in line with good practice and could also lead to incorrect indicative diagnosis, delays in appropriate intervention and increased distress and frustration for children and their families. [23040/18]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Health if, with regard to the HSE’s implementation of the standard operating procedure for the assessment of need, he is of the view that 90 minutes is not a sufficient period of time to adequately assess the needs of children with disabilities. [23041/18]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Health if, with regard to the HSE’s implementation of the standard operating procedure for the assessment of need, he is of the view that the requirement in the standard operating procedure for occupational therapists to provide all families with strategies to support their child based on a 90 minute preliminary team assessment is not in keeping with standards of good practice in occupational therapy. [23042/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 168, inclusive, 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.