Dr. Catherine Long:

On Deputy Kenny's question, we cannot speak to the motivation of the HSE. The HSE's stated position is that it is attempting to improve service and access to interventions through this change in policy. However, the effect of it is that the legal right of children to an AON will be fulfilled in a 90-minute assessment according to the SOP. The effect is that the legal right will be met by this assessment, which is not adequate. Children will then be placed on waiting lists for further assessment. The SOP states that a need for assessment can be an outcome of an assessment of need. The problem is that in areas that are currently under-resourced, this will leave children on long waiting lists to access that full diagnostic assessment.