Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 86 together.

With regard to the questions asked by the Deputy, the HSE has informed me that the information regarding the number of children referred back to primary care by their CDNT, or regarding the number of CAMHS referrals from CDNTs, is not currently collated nationally.

The collection of data by the HSE on CDNT activity on a national basis can be variable, due to outdated IT systems and a variety approaches used across the 91 CDNTs who collate manually at present.

This current situation regarding data is being remedied by the continued rollout of a National Information Management System for all 91 CDNTs. When implemented, it will provide current and relevant data such as waiting lists and other details for each CDNTs. The rollout is ongoing and significant work has already taken place, with 24 of the 91 teams migrated. It is expected that the roll out will be finalised in Q2 2024.

In addition, the Government and the HSE acknowledge that there has been inconsistency regarding the joint case management of children with complex needs between Primary Care, Disability Services and CAMHs. In order to address this inconsistency, the HSE have developed a joint working protocol between Primary Care, Disabilities and CAMHS services. The joint working protocol aims to clearly define how the three services will cooperate and work together when a child with complex needs requires supports from more than one service provider. The protocol also aims to make the referral process easier for both families and referrers to follow.

Work is ongoing to strengthen the connections between the services and it will be a key focus of work within the recently launched Roadmap for Services, with a dedicated working group established to examine the protocol and the National Access Policy (NAP). The NAP ensures that children are directed to the appropriate service based on the complexity of their presenting needs. For example, children are directed to Primary Care for non-complex functional difficulties and to Children’s Disability Network Teams for complex functional difficulties. Depending on the complexity of their needs, children with ASD may access supports from a Children’s Disability Network Team or from Primary Care or from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The supports accessed is dependent on the complexity of their needs.

The focus of attention for this Working Group will be to lead on ensuring the consistent implementation of the National Access Policy and Joint Working Protocol for children with disabilities, including those undergoing the Assessment of Need (AON) to ensure all AONs are routed to the most appropriate service i.e. Primary Care, CDNT or CAMHS.

I look forward to these measures, and others, being of benefit to children and families, allowing for more timely access to services from Primary Care, Disability Services or CAMHs.