Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of those who were waiting, the Minister of State rightly says there are approximately 4,500 in CHO 7, which, when one thinks of 10,000 across the country, shows that CHO 7 is a significant laggard in terms of getting AONs. I would be aware of and have worked with some families who, not being able to access anything because they did not have the AON, scrimped, saved and borrowed to enable themselves to have it done privately.

Could there be a cut-off date from last Christmas for parents who sacrificed other things within their household? If they would be able in any way to retrospectively get some of that funding back, it would be a very good thing to do.