Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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734. To ask the Minister for Health if additional resources are being allocated to hospitals in order to address the backlog of children awaiting their 9 to 11 month developmental check given that many children are not receiving an appointment for this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9332/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Child development checks are provided by Public Health Nurses alongside a range of other community healthcare services.

In relation to service capacity, since March 2020, many Public Health Nursing staff have been redeployed to support COVID-19 related clinical activities including providing clinical leadership and direct support in the establishment of COVID-19 vaccination clinics. This redeployment of staff has had a significant impact on the capacity of the Public Health Nursing service to deliver the core child health screening and surveillance programme. However, as public health nursing staff returned to their core duties the child development check services were prioritised. Any parents with a concern should contact their GP or local HSE Public Health Nursing service.

In respect of additional resources, the Government is investing €195m in 2022 under the Enhanced Community Care programme which will support recruitment of around 3,500 primary and community staff, including more nursing staff.