Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided through community services known as Community Funded Schemes (CFS) and play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning, and to remain living in their homes and local community.

Dedicated funding was allocated in Budget 2024 for the approval of appropriate prescribed aids and appliances for children under the CFS. This funding will ensure that no child should wait more than 3 weeks for approval of funding for an Aid or Appliance, upon receipt of a relevant healthcare prescription. This includes replacement appliances where there is an on-going need for the growing child, or appliance deterioration. Of course, the normal timelines involved in the ordering, manufacture and delivery of items will still apply, and bespoke items will take longer to be made and delivered.

Individuals should contact their local health office to enquire about applying for the appropriate appliance for their children.

As this is also raises a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.