Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

146. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a research report published on 29 June 2022 by an organisation (details supplied) which found that 52% of respondents said at least one of the persons they care for are currently on a waiting list for services; the actions that he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36737/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 146 together.

This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role his Department has in ensuring the HSE are delivering services for children with disabilities. [36770/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware the Government Decision on the 22nd of December 2020 confirmed the transfer of policy, functions and funding responsibility relating to specialist community-based disability services (SCBDS) from the Department of Health to my Department. This is a very significant transfer of functions, both from the point of view of improving services for persons with a disability but also from the perspective the Department of Health and this Department. It involves over €2.3 billion of funding and has significant implications for the HSE.

Following significant engagement between my Department, the Department of Health (DoH) and the Attorney General’s Office, an overarching legislative framework was agreed and submitted to Government on 10th December 2021, to put in place the necessary arrangements to facilitate the HSE to report to two Ministers for different elements of its functions and provide for revised corporate governance and accountability arrangements of the HSE.

The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, was subsequently signed by the President on the 12th of April 2022. My officials are now actively engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Health to facilitate this transfer.