Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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366. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a pilot project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8651/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The National Nursing Programme Pilot for Children with Complex Healthcare Needs is a nationwide pilot scheme to be run in partnership between HSE and NCSE. The purpose of the pilot is to put nursing supports in place to allow children with complex healthcare needs attend school.

HSE Primary Care currently funds Paediatric Home Care Packages (PHCPs), through which preferred private healthcare providers deliver nursing care in the homeenvironment to children with complex healthcare needs.

The pilot nursing scheme will, for eligible students, extend the PHCP from their home into the school setting. This will allow an agency nurse attend school with the student for an agreed number of hours per week, and travel to and from school with them, if necessary. There are other eligibility criteria for students and schools.

An application and assessment process will confirm the eligibility of the student for the scheme, determine the number of hours to support the student, assess any necessary environmental changes, and confirm whether funding is available for their nursing support hours. A transition and ongoing review process will facilitate the student’s transition into school and monitor their progress.

Communications with schools in relation to the pilot scheme will be coordinated by the local SENO. For contact information, please see our SENO Contact details page on the NCSE website. The SENO will provide further information about eligibility, applications and later steps in the process.

Further information on this scheme and application process can be accessed on the NCSE’s website at the following page: National Nursing Programme Pilot for Children with Complex Healthcare Needs – National Council for Special Education – Working to deliver a better special education service (ncse.ie).

The pilot is to be evaluated and the outcome will inform the provision of nursing support for students with complex healthcare needs into the future.