Ms Angela O'Neill:

The preliminary team assessment, PTA, is the assessment we were delivering under the standard operating procedure, SOP, for assessment of need. In 2021, of those children whose PTAs were completed, 54% identified as requiring further assessment. Obviously, that 54% will be our priority in the context of reassessment. It is likely that the other 46% do not need further assessment but we will also engage with those families to make sure. We discussed the matter Senator McGreehan raised earlier when she visited last week. It is really important that parents realise they do not have to go through an assessment of need to access services. It is not the gateway to services. With the assessment of need process, a desktop assessment lasting at least three months happens before any referral is made. Parents can pick up the phone and arrange a direct referral to any team. It is really important to get that message out to families. Assessment of need is not an absolute requirement. It is an option that parents may choose to avail of but they do not have to go through that route to access any of our health services.