Written answers

Thursday, 26 May 2022

Department of Health

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15. To ask the Minister for Health the number of primary and special schools that avail of HSE wrap-around services in speech and language and occupational therapy for children with disabilities and special educational needs in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27033/22]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 4 special schools in Mayo (St. Brid’s, St. Dympna’s, St. Anthony’s and St. Nicholas) who are supported by 3 Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs).

The HSE advise that these Teams do not provide time framed interventions to specific schools, instead supporting all schools of children who avail of services. Children in special schools are supported by the Teams in the school, home and community environment.

The services provided are subject to available staffing resources and the HSE has advised that there are ongoing recruitment and retention challenges regarding the filling of therapy posts. In that regard, the average vacancy rate in the Network Teams for Mayo is approximately 27%. Since 2019, approximately 475 development posts have been funded by the Government and allocated to children’s disability services across the country.

The HSE continues to explore a range of options to support the recruitment of essential staff to strengthen the capacity of Network Teams, in order to reduce the waiting times for children to access therapy supports.

A CDNT Staff Census and Workforce Review recently finalised by the HSE will provide valuable information to allow targeted workforce planning by Children’s Disability Network Managers to reinforce the skill mix of their teams to accommodate local population need.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.