Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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124. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to amend the Disability Act 2005; and if not, if he plans to introduce new legislation in order that all children receive services in a timely manner. [5041/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently no plans to progress a review of the Disability Act, although the Department does keep its legislative programme under ongoing review.

In the context of improving services, the Department of Health is currently working with the HSE in order to bolster the capacity of the respective Children's Disability Network Teams throughout the country, in order to provide both Assessments of Need and quicker access to therapy supports than are currently available.

In this regard, HSE recruitment for therapy posts continues and there is ongoing engagement with the Heads of Disability Services across the nine CHOs to review service provision. In parallel, detailed discussions are ongoing with relevant stakeholders and representative groups in relation to a revised approach to the Assessment of Need, one which seeks to be both legally compliant and ensure a timely pathway to therapeutic interventions.