Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline any engagement his Department has had with other Departments regarding the division of responsibilities amongst them for the provision of therapies and assessments for children with autism and disabilities whilst workforce planning continues and gaps in services remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43552/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Engagement between officials in my Department and those in other Departments and state bodies and agencies regarding the provision of therapies and assessments for children with autism and disabilities is typically coordinated under the governance structures established as part of the PDS Roadmap 2023 – 2026.

Implementation of the Roadmap will, amongst other things, seek to ensure that children are referred to the most appropriate service under the National Access Policy; reduce the waiting time for children currently waitlisted for CDNTs; improve outcomes for children and families and their experience of CDNT service; and improve staff retention on CDNTs in the long-term as a good place to work.

The development of an effective governance structure saw the establishment of relevant Working Groups. Each Working Group has a clear remit to lead on the progression of a specific set of actions and ensure delivery to address the specific improvements needed.

In this context, Working Group 1: National Integrated Services for AoN, NAP and Joint Protocol leads on the delivery of integrated services for children and young people by fully operationalising policies designed to promote coordinated services across care groups and organisations. It includes officials from my own Department, from the Department of Health (Primary Care and CAMHS) and Tusla. Its objectives include the establishment of an Integrated Children’s Services Group to drive the implementation of the National Access Policy (NAP) and to lead on a Primary Care, Disabilities, CAMHS Joint Working Protocol (JWP) for children and young people with disabilities including those on the Assessment of Need pathway.