Mr. Bernard Gloster:

The Senator has probably answered the question in the question. I am told repeatedly that therapists and professionals who are engaged with children are constantly consumed in terms of time with compliance work and paperwork and that an increased administrative assistance would give them greater face time with the people they are supporting. I subscribe to that view. I have seen initiatives in the past where that has not worked but I have given a commitment this year to try that. That is why I need a pay and numbers strategy to see exactly how many admin staff I have to deploy. That is the first thing. Second, as we introduce digital to other parts of the wider HSE system, that may free up admin staff to be redeployed to support front-line practitioners. We probably will initially need a small increase in numbers on the disability side to do it. Separate to admin, I am a huge believer in expanding the numbers and hope we can do so. There is some hope that we can do so this year as regards what we call the grade of therapy assistants, who work with children and families but work in a very structured way under a qualified therapist.