Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, this period has been very difficult for everybody. Businesses have lost money, but they will be able to make that money back in the future. People have put on weight, but they will be able to lose it. However, some children are not just failing to develop - they are regressing. My daughter was born recently and it is amazing to watch her develop. I cannot imagine what it must be like to watch one's child not just fail to develop, but regress. I acknowledge that there are shortages everywhere. The Clare Crusaders Children's Clinic in Ennis is inundated with requests from parents who are desperate to get help because they are watching their children regress and do not know whether they will ever get them to make progress. In light of the shortage of SNAs, could the Government consider using occupational therapists, speech therapists and specialist nurses to provide July provision, or would their skill sets be unsuited to the provision of that service?