Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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183. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing the staffing numbers in children’s disability services in order to reduce the time spent by children on the waiting list for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16083/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that funding for an additional 100 new therapy posts was provided for in the recent Budget. These posts, when in place, will help improve access to services for children with disabilities and developmental delays.

In addition, In August 2020 the HSE secured €7.8m through Sláintecare to address overdue Assessments of Need.  This work is well underway with more than half the backlog cleared by end of February.

This is a hugely important measure, as the elimination of the historic backlog will allow the Children's Disability Network Teams to direct more resources towards providing interventions to all children who need them.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait before they gain access to children’s disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16084/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.