Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the proposal. I understand the frustration from family members and so on. It is similar to the situation with autism in terms of assessment of needs and so on. I ask that we write to the HSE to find out if any of the families in question have ever used an initiative similar to the cross-Border initiative that exists for funding cataract procedures and so on? Has that ever happened for a family? Regardless of whether the answer is "Yes" or "No", if we can find that information, it may be beneficial to the families listening today.

I raised a specific case about carers in the Dáil some months ago. It was a complicated case. The poor lady in question did not have her case resolved in 35 years she had spent caring for a child. The response from the Minister was that there was a separate investigative department within the Department of Social Protection to deal with individual cases on a needs basis. That case was resolved within three weeks. However, had we that information earlier, that poor woman's situation could have been resolved 35 years ago. If the committee agrees, would it be possible to ask the HSE that question when it comes to assessment of needs in this area? Is there a cross-Border initiative and, if so, has it been used?