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

We have received apologies from Deputy Phelan and Senator Ruane.

Before we begin, I remind members who are participating remotely to keep their devices on mute until they are invited to speak. When committee members are speaking, I would ask that, where possible, they have their cameras switched on. I also ask them to be mindful that we are in public session.

I also remind members of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement and, therefore, any member who attempts to participate in this meeting from outside the precincts will be refused.

Our agenda item for today is consideration of the Ombudsman for Children report entitled Unmet Needs with officials from the HSE. We have had two meetings previously so this will be our third meeting on this report. The officials joining us today are in attendance in an additional meeting room within the precincts of Leinster House. They are: Dr. Cathal Morgan, head of operations with disability services; Ms Angela O'Neill, national disability specialist with lead responsibility for assessment of need; Ms Breda Crehan-Roche, chief officer for community healthcare organisation area 2; and Professor Malcolm MacLachlan, clinical lead of the national clinical programme for people with disability. I welcome our witnesses.

Before I call on Dr. Morgan to deliver his opening statement, I need to advise the witnesses of the following matters relating to parliamentary privilege. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if the statements of witnesses are potentially defamatory to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The purpose of our meeting is to discuss with the witnesses the issues identified in the report which was published in October 2020 by the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, entitled Unmet Needs. The report identifies serious shortcomings in how assessments of the needs of children are now conducted. I also want to take the opportunity to remind members that, when putting their questions to the officials, they should adhere to the agenda items scheduled for discussion at this meeting.

I advise everybody that the format of the meeting will include an opening statement from Dr. Cathal Morgan, followed by questions and answers. Each committee member has seven minutes, including the answers to his or her questions, so I urge our witnesses and questioners to bear that in mind. Members can start indicating their desire for speaking time as soon as possible.

I call on Dr. Morgan to deliver his opening statement. It will be followed by questions and answers. Dr. Morgan is very welcome.