Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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I echo the point that has just been made, as it would not be early intervention if people must wait years for it. It falls at the first hurdle under the definition. I thank the witnesses for coming in. When we discussed this previously, one of the matters raised concerned the inconsistencies throughout the country. My question is simple and concerns models of best practice. Do we have individual models of best practice? Where we have models of best practice and where they are working, is that just associated with resources? One often hears the process is working in a certain area and the work in that area should be modelled; this implies that everybody else is not working hard or smartly enough. Generally, when we drill down, we find the areas where a new scheme, idea or policy works generally have an association with resources. I am interested to know if that is the way the witnesses see it. Does this explain the geographical inconsistencies?

Reference was made to the recent budgetary announcement and the possibility of recruiting additional personnel. I assume the same difficulties regarding recruitment and retention exist in speech and language therapy as in other areas. Will the witnesses comment on that briefly, although I acknowledge it is not the specific issue before us? In the context of a multi-annual programme, I share the optimism of the witnesses but it is all it is. What was announced was just a one-off number and there was no hint there would be any multi-annual funding associated with it. Will they comment on that? The introduction of a new or rearranged SOP will not change anything unless there are resources and staff but I am interested in their comments.