Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I explained the reasons for the delays. The matter is very complex. I want the disability sector and those dealing with senior citizens to be involved in the process. If it takes another few months to do that, so be it. I will take the hits and deal with it.

On the assessment of need issue, Deputy Murphy O'Mahony rightly said this is a provision under Part 2 of the Disability Act, 2005. There has been a steady increase in the applications. I totally accept that. The recent figures I have in front of me are in the region of 6,000 applications. We know we are facing huge challenges in meeting the statutory time frames. There are many complex cases but we have set out and are planning to act on the delays. We are doing three major things. We have put in place a comprehensive plan with individual measures for each CHO area to deal with this issue. A new standard operational procedure for assessment of need is being implemented by the end of 2018. This will improve efficiency in the operation of the assessment of need process and the compliance rates. The reconfiguring of the disability services is taking place. It is part of the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People programme. Integrated teams are operating well and the assessment of need process is running more smoothly than in other cases. A policy review is taken place in respect of assessment of need, with the ambition to extend it to adults in 2020.