Laura Harmon (Labour)

I thank the Cathaoirleach. The conditions that the Irish Association for Speech and Language Therapists are concerned about include workloads, that therapists are leaving the country or moving into private practice. Of course, that will have a direct impact. We mentioned recruitment and college places earlier. How serious is this? Are we at risk of losing them to private practice and from the country, because it is not just a pipeline issue?

My second question is on waiting lists for assessments of need and how they impact on special schools. The HSE was at the committee before the summer recess. When I questioned Bernard Gloster here, he agreed and admitted he was particularly concerned about Cork in relation to assessments of need. There are 1,292 on the waiting list in Cork as of the second quarter of this year. Most are waiting more than nine months and we know that is reflected throughout the country. How is this impacting special schools throughout the country? What is the direct impact of these waiting lists?

It has been asserted that there is a difference in the provision of care for children with autism at primary and post-primary levels. How can we bridge that gap, if there is a gap, to ensure that care continues at second level?