Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)

I would have a different perspective on the Taoiseach's approach to this, but that might be a natural thing for us to disagree on. What I am focused on is the fact that if the restriction relating to those children at this moment who need assessments of need is recruitment, then what is the best way of deploying the State's resources? I am struck by the three thirds relating to this debate.

One third of people who go through the entire AON process do not get an outcome at the end. They do not reach the threshold to require an AON. That is not a desired outcome for those people. They still need the interventions but they do not get an AON.

One third of people going through the AON process are on the spectrum or within that area. There is no alternative to the assessment of need for them to get a diagnosis If they have another disability, there are ways to be diagnosed and treatment to be identified. There does not appear to be an alternative for the autism spectrum. The AON is the only way to confirm the need exists.

The last third I am conscious of is the hours of therapists spent on AONs when we need interventions and therapies as well.

These are the limitations we have right now. Mr. Darmody is correct that we need to ensure we are not in this space in three years. As of now, how can we make sure interventions are made for treatments and therapies? As somebody with experience in the area, I want to see treatments and therapies. Maybe it is because I am not prioritising the right thing, but to me treatments, therapies and interventions are key.