Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the subject of diagnostics and interventions required, this question may be one for Ms Crehan-Roche to answer. On the allocation of resources and posts within the service plan, are we really investing in the areas that we need to invest in regarding dietetics, SLT and feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, FEDS, and in other areas? I am not differentiating in this regard in respect of the primary care elements. We see major investment in that area and that is required in the area of earlier diagnostics and avoiding people having to be admitted to our acute hospitals.

Disability, however, seems to be lacking the requisite focus and priority regarding investment. I mean real investment. Some of the milder developmental issues assessed are sent to primary care centres and assessed in that instance. For more complex issues though, we do not seem to have the resources available and we have longer waiting lists. That is where I feel the real challenges are. Will Ms Crehan-Roche please shed some light on that situation?