Written answers

Monday, 9 September 2024

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Disability Services

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1504.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the proposal submitted in September 2023 by an organisation (details supplied) which would allow it to alleviate public waiting lists for children's disability services; if a service legal agreement will be put in place for such an arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35577/24]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1505.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he or the Minister of State will intervene to support an organisation (details supplied) as it faces a forced reduction in services due to funding shortfalls, which will lead to increased pressures on children's disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35578/24]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sensational Kids is a not-for-profit organisation delivering interventions to children over the last 10 years. It operates as a child development centre, providing subsidised therapy services for children and professional development training workshops for those working with children with special needs. Sensational Kids employs over 30 staff, including a clinical team across child development centres in Kildare, Mayo, Monaghan and West Cork, providing supports such as occupational therapy, speech & language therapy, play therapy and hippotherapy.

I note that the HSE does not fund Sensational Kids, although the organisation has received small grants under the National Lottery Grant Scheme amounting to €4,577 in 2016 and €3,000 in December 2022. However, I am aware that the HSE in CHO7 are in ongoing engagement with Sensational Kids with regard to a potential Service Level Agreement (SLA) for funding. The HSE note that there has been significant engagement with Sensational Kids and HSE disability staff in order to agree the service required by the HSE in line with the CDNT model and the ability of the organisation to provide service with their existing staffing complement of 5.7 WTEs in CHO 7 area.

I met with Sensational Kids and the HSE on Friday the 6th September 2024 to discuss funding via a HSE Service Level Agreement and their proposal for a National Child Development Centre Capital Project.

I can assure you that as Minister of State for Disability, I am committed, alongside my Department, the HSE and its funded agencies to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services to better support the needs of children with special needs in Ireland.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.