Mr. Bernard Gloster:

All that I can say to the Deputy in that regard is that this is why I have created the single point of access and said that no child’s referral can be refused. It is why I have said that it is up to those services and the people who lead them to work out which is the best response that can be given to a child. I absolutely agree with the Deputy that there has been a fundamental disintegration. The more we specialise in the Irish health service, the more disintegration we create. That is an unintended consequence. I categorically say to the Deputy, and I have said it in public many times, despite the good work done, I am not proud of our record in children's services, be it children's services for disability or indeed mental health. I am not proud of it and I will do what I can to improve it.