Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I confirm I am in Leinster House. I warmly welcome the witnesses from the HSE who have addressed the meeting and thank them for their submission. Deputy Wynne referred to the fact that the progressing disability services model was established in 2010. How come it has taken so long to roll it out? Was it a funding issue? What were the issues arising? It was indicated that 31 of 91 intended children's disability network teams have been established and that all of them will be established by the end of quarter 2, which is welcome. How come it has taken so long?

After housing, the issue I am most contacted about is that of waiting lists associated with assessments of need or accessing therapies, supports and interventions for children with a disability. While I welcome the progressing disability services model on paper and believe it looks brilliant, I note that many parents are very sceptical as to whether it will improve circumstances. I really hope it does. Some parents have told me waiting periods for some Enable Ireland and HSE services can run into years. How is this backlog going to be addressed? Have extra staff been recruited? Maybe the witnesses will confirm whether some therapists have been diverted to carrying out assessments and that the waiting list for interventions has grown longer as a result. Regardless of whether this is true and irrespective of the answer I am given, the waiting list for interventions is long. How will this be addressed?

Many parents tell me that even if their children receive supports, they receive very little. They might have a speech and language therapy session only once every few months, or a couple per year. Will the frequency of interventions increase? Will a behavioural analyst be part of the team for children with autism, especially if they are non-verbal? There are individuals with qualifications in analysing behaviour and working with children with autism. Are they part of the team?

Speech and language therapy comes up a lot, especially regarding children with Down's syndrome. Many parents say to me that their children really need intervention in this regard before they go to school but that it is often two or three years into school before they have access to any such support.

I welcome the fact that the witnesses said assistive supports for special schools are going to remain. I welcome that. It is excellent. Will there be a link with schools anyway? Will there be a strong link between the team and the school, be it a special school, a unit within a school or a mainstream school? Will there be a link with CAMHS? How does the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, fit into it? Will it be part of the team or will the service still be based within the school?

Parents often say to me that the biggest issue is when their child, on reaching the age of 18, is transitioning from children's services to adult services. Has any work been done on making that an easier process?