David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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809. To ask the Minister for Health if, at any point prior to the commencement of the assessment of need standard operating procedure in 2020, he, the Secretary General or any assistant or deputy secretary in his Department approved or otherwise had sight of the HSE standard operating procedure for assessments of need; the office or officer in his Department with responsibility for clearing such a policy from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18001/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that as an operational matter, the Standard Operating Procedure for Assessment of Need was developed by the HSE as service providers and the agency with clinical expertise on the issue, and was subject to a consultation process, an independent clinical review, a legal review by way of Senior Counsel opinion as well as an IR process.

The purpose of the Standard Operating Procedure was to introduce consistency in standards and approach to service delivery across the county in addition to providing timely access to assessment in accordance with the timelines set out in the Disability Act (2005). This approach helps to reduce geographical variation and ensure that children and young people have the same access to high quality community services regardless of where they live in the country.

The HSE process involved appropriate engagement with senior officials from the Department of Health Disability Services Unit and subsequently the Minister was advised in January 2020 that the HSE was to introduce a revised standard operating procedure for the Assessment of Need Process and that the purpose of this procedure was to ensure children with disabilities and their families, access appropriate assessment and intervention as quickly as possible.