Dublin Fingal TD, Alan Farrell has confirmed with the HSE, processes being put in place for children who received a Preliminary Team Assessment following a Parliamentary Question on the matter.
Deputy Farrell said, “I am pleased to hear following the recent judgement by the High Court that the HSE have committed to engaging directly with the families of those children who received a Preliminary Team Assessment and may wish for a further assessment to be carried out for their child.”
“The HSE have confirmed to me that if parents or guardians of children wish to receive a further assessment under the terms of the Disability Act they will be afforded this opportunity. If appointments have already been scheduled with children, these appointments will form the first step in their Assessment of Need process.”
Deputy Farrell continued, “The HSE will also implement a process for a revised approach to Assessment of Need and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including families, providers, staff, and representative bodies, in an intensive consultation process to develop a pathway for Assessment of Needs.”
“In CH 09, which encompasses North Dublin, 1052 Preliminary Team Assessments were carried out, in 2021. 884 children were referred for referred for intervention and his cohort of children will be prioritised for completion of their Assessment of Needs.”
Deputy Farrell added, “I receive on a very regular basis distressing stories from parents who are struggling to meet the needs of their children without the support of the Childrens Disability Network teams. The children who have undergone the Preliminary Team Assessment will face an additional hurdle in their journey which may be distressing but I am heartened that the HSE are working with stakeholders and families to ensure there is minimum disruption to wait times for children.”
“I am extremely conscious that CHO 09, which covers the Fingal Constituency has some of the longest waiting lists in the country and I will be working to ensure that the HSE put every effort and resource into assisting families affected by these changes as quickly and efficiently as possible.”