Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)

The work we are doing on the assessment of need has not been finalised. However, the aim is to ensure people are provided with assessments in a more timely and efficient manner. We must also ensure the processing time is more efficient. We can reduce the waiting time for assessment of need applicants. The legislative focus on Part 2 of the Disability Act will be supported by operational and administrative actions. All of these issues are being considered. It is a matter of how we ensure people gain access to the assessment or the therapies they need in a timely fashion. The assessment of need process needs to be done more efficiently but it is not. In many cases, once a person gets an assessment, he or she is put on another waiting list so the process is not working.