Dr. Cathal Morgan:

I can respond to the majority of the questions. I will also include my colleague, Ms O'Neill, about the assessment of need. I welcome what the Deputy said and the positive welcome for progressing disability services. We and our lead agency partners believe that it is the right thing to do. It has been in development and implementation for more than ten years. To answer the direct question about timelines, we will have implemented all 91 networks by the end of quarter 2. Over 40 are now in place and all are to be in place by the end of quarter 2.

We agree with the Deputy about providing reassurance for schools. We are concerned about making sure that parents, principals and education staff can be assured. It is critical that we work with them in a co-operative and collaborative manner. I gave a commitment in my opening statement that existing on-site arrangements for resources will remain in place.

Regarding how networks will work with schools more generally, we have a national access policy. That facilitates the education sector, parents and the community healthcare organisations, CHOs, which are responsible, with the lead agencies, for agreeing how best to deliver the services. It is important to say that each of the 91 networks has a network manager, all of whom are clinicians by profession. They are leading these interdisciplinary teams and one of their key functions is to ensure that these arrangements are clearly articulated to parents and teaching staff. We have local structures for implementation which include staff, because the input of staff as well as parents is critical to successful implementation. We cannot overemphasise the communications issue because one cannot communicate enough on this. We accept that people are worried and we will do our best to ensure that we address those concerns.

The assessment of need is important. It is a complex area in which the networks will be involved. Ms O'Neill will give an update on it.