Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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160. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the engagement her Department has had with the Department of Health on the proposed implementation of the single point of access model; whether a written protocol has been developed or agreed setting out the way disputes between primary care, children's disability network teams and CAMHS are to be resolved where services differ on the appropriate care pathway for a child; the person or body that has final decision-making authority in such cases [28746/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive is introducing a Single Point of Access referral model in 2026 for child and youth health referrals.

This will make it easier for families to be referred to the right service or services at an early stage - whether that is a Children's Disability Network Team, a Primary Care Service, and/or a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

As a result, children will not be put on multiple waiting lists or passed from one service to another.

The Single Point of Access referral model will be supported by the Health Service Executive’s Community Care Record, which will enable the administration and delivery of services within and across community healthcare settings.

Engagement between Department officials and officials from the Department of Health on the Single Point of Access referral model has taken place at meetings of the Cross-Sectoral Group on Disability Issues for Children and Young People.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the implementation of the Single Point of Access, with a National Oversight Group and six Regional Implementation Groups leading the programme.

Six regional workshops were delivered across September and October 2025, to share early learnings, drive momentum, and develop Regional Implementation Plans, which were reviewed and approved by the Health Service Executive’s Chief Executive Officer.

The Single Point of Access referral model across all six Regions will be achieved through resourcing, partnership and collaboration, and the design and development of a single integrated pathway and streamlined referrals process.

A nationally standardised referral form has been finalised by the Health Service Executive. It is now being digitised to optimise the referral pathway and timelines for signposting each child to the service or services most appropriate to meet their needs.

A finalised protocol setting out dispute resolution between Primary Care Services, Children's Disability Network Teams and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, has not been received by the Department from the Health Service Executive. As this relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.