Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is really important because when I spoke to parents yesterday, that was the biggest question they had around getting their child assessed privately. It is going to have to happen now and it could cost up to €1,200 or whatever. I do not know what the price is now but it is very expensive. At least now I can say that. It is important we let parents, the HSE and others know about this. I welcome that today. I was not sure but that is a really positive step for parents. We need to work on that.

Do the witnesses know anything about the working group which is currently examining the waiting times for the intervention and assessment of needs? The disability action plan notes that evidence shows early intervention can have a positive impact on a child and the capacity of the system overall. Do the witnesses have evidence available to show in this regard? We all know, by the way, that early intervention and how we go about that is absolutely key. The witnesses may come back to me in the context of any of the outcome indicators of the assessment progress and of quality of life outcomes for children with disabilities.

There is another issue that I have picked up on recently. It is a worrying one. The disability action plan stated "In September 2023, the HSE reported that there were around 15,000 children awaiting an initial contact from their CDNT". The service improvement plan, however, states “Over 16,500 children are awaiting their first appointment with a CDNT.. Can the witnesses discuss these discrepancies? How we sort and find a solution for this? How do we get the correct figures?

I can only speak about Carlow CDNT. I have to say that I work with the HSE very well. Staffing is a huge issue. I know a huge recruitment campaign is going on at the moment. My understanding is that for CHO 5, in the Carlow area it has one extra person in this recruitment campaign. While it is looking for a lot more, my understanding is that one new person is starting. There only was one person, which means we will have two. The concern in this regard is that there will be burnout for everyone, not just for speech and language therapists or any therapist, but also for families and the children who are suffering. We really need to find solutions to this.

One things that has come up here at the committee and which the committee is aware of, is that children with complex needs are being left at emergency services, that is, respite and special education services because parents have no other choice, as they cannot access services. Can the witnesses discuss how this can be managed? I have never seen things to be so bad and I have been working with the HSE in different areas for years. I have never seen parents at breaking point waiting to get their children assessed. I am worried about the parents but I also know they are only thinking of their children. What are the urgent solutions? Today we have a good solution from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in that they can get their children assessed privately and will get it back. I presume they have to be HSE-accredited and recognised. Is that done through the HSE? I do not know; I am trying to get the information.