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

I thank the witnesses for their extremely powerful presentations as they represent their own children and other children with additional needs who need services now. I have so many questions that they would take up the entire meeting. First, I shall ask about regression during Covid. Ms Whitmarsh mentioned that there was an unbelievable amount of regression and I wonder would she be comfortable elaborating on the matter. We have heard so much about the impact that Covid has had on children with additional needs and the accompanying mental health issues. What would have made a difference during that time when we were told that the schools had to close? What can be done now? Is there anything that can be done to address any regression?

Next I want to discuss the two options for children, which are primary care and the children's disability network teams. I have been told that the less complex cases are supposed to go to primary care and the more complex cases go to the teams. Ms Whitmarsh has said that some cases have fallen between both of them, which is a concerning situation. How many cases has this happened to? If a child is on a list then there is some hope that he or she will receive some sort of therapy and interventions sometime, and sooner rather than later. However, if a child is not on any list because his or her case falls between the two options and people cannot decide which option is most appropriate then such a situation is really concerning. Those are my initial queries and if time allows I will mention a few more issues.