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

As Deputies will be aware, there is a high demand for Early Intervention Services and unfortunately, waiting times for children to access these services have reached excessive levels in many parts of the country.

I understand that the current longest waiting time for children to access services from the Early Intervention Team in North County Dublin is 32 months.

I recognise that services for school-aged children with disabilities and early intervention services are paramount and need to be improved and organised more effectively and this process is well under way nationwide. A major reconfiguration of therapy resources for children with disabilities into multi-disciplinary geographically based teams, is underway as part of the HSE's National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People.

HSE Disability Services in Dublin North City and County are working proactively with the HSE's National Disability Office to address waiting times. However, there are a number of factors driving the demand for services, including an increase in the population of children overall and an increase in the number of children presenting with complex needs.

Addressing and improving services for children and adults with a disability remains a priority of the Government and for the Health Service Executive. I am pleased to inform the House that Dublin North City and County Disability Service has recently received approval of an increased allocation of resources which will provide five posts across a number of disciplines including: Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Social Work.

The HSE has commenced the recruitment process for these posts which will assist in the reduction of waiting times for early intervention services across the area.

In addition, as part of the Government’s commitment to children with disabilities, funding for an additional 100 therapy posts was secured as part of Budget 2019. This investment will have a significant positive impact on waiting times for assessment and therapy service delivery over the course of the next year.