Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Minister for Health the reason almost half the number of applications for assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 that were overdue for completion at end of March 2018 were in counties Cork and Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Cork Kerry Community Healthcare recognises the long waiting times for clinical assessments within the current Assessment of Need process. A portion of the ‘overdue for completion’ figure under the current AON statistics includes cases where the clinical assessment has been completed and a clinical report has been given to the families. However, the formal report from the Assessment Officer as required by legislation has not issued. Resources have been directed towards this particular piece of work since the beginning of 2018 and it is expected that the backlog of reports will be completed by Assessment Officers by year end. This will in turn reduce the overdue figures.

In an effort to standardise Assessment of Need procedures and to facilitate timely assessments, the HSE identified a requirement to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).  This SOP is intended to replace the suite of approximately 50 guidance notes that have been issued since 2007 and will define the assessment. This will ensure a standardised approach across the state in respect of the operational application of the Disability Act 2005 and  provide an important opportunity to balance or ensure equity in terms of assessment and support interventions for vulnerable children and young people with a disability.

The HSE is engaged in a consultation process through Forsa on its introduction and hopes to successfully conclude this engagement in the coming weeks prior to roll out.