Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. I am conscious that we have a small number of people in here but behind them is a large number of families and children who have struggled yet were denied services and rely on each other for support. I thank the witnesses for the hard work they have done to support other families and people who are going through the nightmare journey that they have experienced. I appreciate that it is another unfair burden. We have talked about care burnout where not only must they care for their own families, they must now look out for each other's families. While there is strength in that solidarit,y the work being done still takes energy. I thank them for keeping up that work and energy.

I noticed that Mr. Noble shook his head at the idea that the new model met the legal definition of "assessment". Does he think the SOP would stand up in court if they are so far beyond the bounds of the Disability Act? I appreciate that if matters have already begun, he cannot talk about them. Who represents the HSE when it goes to the Circuit Court? Has it brought in outside legal services or is it an inhouse team? If it is an outside legal service then there is a marginal cost that is probably significantly more than the cost of hiring people to do this. Value for money have been the watchwords of the Civil Service for a long time. Such a practice does not seem to be value for money and, when one adds in the emotional cost, it makes no sense whatsoever. I would like to hear the view of the witnesses on those two issues.

Can Mr. Smyth refer briefly to the panel? If not, perhaps he will provide information to us on the weaknesses of the panel recruitment process. I ask for that because I am conscious that that is something which is used in social work. The committee has previously debated social work recruitment and related issues so I am sure there is an overlap.