Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully accept that. The members of this committee would be the people to ridicule the Department if it was granting the payment without evidence. However, many applications in respect of which there is no assessment of need but there is a level of medical explanation, for want of a better phrase, or doctor's certification that the child is on the spectrum are being returned. We can appeal such decisions, and we do, but 90% of them come back with an insistence on an assessment of need. In light of the fact that there is a three-year waiting list, it is not acceptable that people are being turned down. My experience and that of my office is that there is a genuine need. These applications are not being made by people who are flouting the system and coming into say they have a sick child. Ultimately, they would have to pay it back if they do not provide the requisite evidence.