Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What I would like to do with the money that has been delivered is carry out a cost-benefit analysis. Out of that, I would see exactly what was delivered through the HSE, what was delivered through the section 38 and 39 organisations and what was delivered through private providers. We need to drill down to see that the money being provided by the Department is being spent in a time-sensitive fashion because it has not been in the past. There is no denying that whatsoever. If had been, I would not have a backlog. That is the point of this whole exercise.

I am not gong to give an answer to the Deputy's question because I do not know the correct answer. I know exactly where he is coming from and I appreciate it. I understand why families had to resort to doing what they did, at enormous expense to themselves, to get therapies or supports in the schools their children were attending. I understand where the ombudsman is coming from and I understand the line of the Deputy's question but I do not have a clear answer on this at the moment. I want to do a cost-benefit analysis to see whether this is an issue right across the State or in a particular CHO or where exactly the problem needs to be addressed. However, I am not ruling the Deputy's suggestion out.