Laura Harmon (Labour)

I thank all the guests for attending. It was illuminating hearing their contributions and having this discussion. I thank Cara for all of her advocacy and campaigning. Her protest highlighted this to many people in the corridors of power in Leinster House. It is important that action be taken and that there are not just empty words. I wholeheartedly agree with her that what is happening is unacceptable.

There is a commitment in the Disability Act that people are entitled to an assessment of need within six months. Therefore, the Government is presiding over a backlog that is not only damaging but also illegal. It is shocking that there are more than 15,000 people waiting for assessments of need in this country, and that is set to rise to 25,000 by the end of the year.

These are not just statistics; these are individuals who will have long-term effects from this and families that are being affected. We need to take action and take this seriously. As you say, it is a national emergency and an embarrassment internationally as well for Ireland. Ms Darmody stated that 37 psychologists have reached out to her unsolicited offering their support and that these people have not been asked to help. For the record, can Cara and Mark Darmody confirm that when they met the Taoiseach, he said that they did not reach out to any professional providers to assist with this? Did he give any commitment that such engagement would take place in the future? Did he commit to any follow-up engagement or promises with them? Also, I just wanted to know if Cara and Mark Darmody have had much engagement with the Minister and her Department and if they found that the Department has listened to them in relation to their campaign.