Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo that. May Jacqui rest in peace. I have spoken on a number of platforms with her. She was a great lady. My sympathies to her family and friends.

On assessments of need, since I have been elected, I have travelled to lots of other jurisdictions to investigate services and supports for disabled citizens throughout the European Union. I find it very interesting that, throughout the European Union, disabled citizens have a legal right to an assessment of need and a legal right to the services and supports, be they social or whatever, that are set out in an assessment of need. Not only that, but in most jurisdictions in the European Union, as a child develops and goes through adolescent years, there are ongoing formative assessments of need, often every two years, to track changes and make a plan for what supports and services the child needs going forward.

I heard the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, say on “Ireland AM” that the assessment of need, which is the only legal right that disabled citizens have in Ireland under the Disability Act 2005, was getting in the way of providing services and supports. I am curious as to whether the authority concurs with the Minister of State’s view that Ireland is a unique case where we do not need an assessment of need, only to provide services and supports?