Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent in therapist posts within the HSEs children’s disability services in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by therapy specialty, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30598/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that was allocated to recruit additional therapist posts in the HSEs children’s disability services in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30599/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health the shortfall in therapist posts within the HSEs children’s disability services identified in the HSEs Capacity Review Report on Disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30600/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Review of Disability Social Care Demand and Capacity Requirements to 2032 has been completed.

As we progress towards the vision outlined by Sláintecare, it is essential that over the next number of years, the State moves to a population-based planning approach, based on demographic and geographic considerations, that reflects both the health and social care needs of those within our population, including those who require specialist disability services.

I hope to be in a position to publish the Disability Capacity Review Report in the very near future, as this will inform the planning for the specialist disability services to meet evolving needs.

The Deputy may wish to note that provision has been made in the HSE National Service Plan 2021 for an additional 100 development posts for specialist children's disability therapy services. A number of these posts are now filled and approval for a further 85 posts has also been provided.