Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is actually shocking to think that some people will have to wait that length of time. We seem to fail people with disabilities or additional needs continuously and consistently. We always seem to talk about the waiting lists, not even with regard to Covid-19 but in general. Everything is a battle. One always seems to have to accept a different standard. It is really frustrating and I cannot imagine what it must be like for people and their families.

That brings me to my next question. Is Dr. McCarthy aware if a specific person was ever appointed to NPHET or to tie in with NPHET in any way regarding people with disabilities? It seems to me they have been totally forgotten about. We cannot have absolutely everybody on a committee but it seems this was a very crucial category that was not provided for