Dr. ?ine Roddy:

It is an excellent question. I cannot say I have done a study that shows there is or is not value for money. In my opinion, there is not value for money in how things are now.

One of the questions parents were asked in my study was what they would do if given a choice between an additional payment to go off and pay for services privately and an improvement in services and supports. Almost three quarters would prefer an improvement in services and support than receiving an additional payment. That does not represent every parent and I emphasise everyone has their own individual preference, but the challenge for the particular parents involved in the study was the lack of access. Maybe if you live in Dublin it is much easier to go private for something but not being able to access private therapy was a huge issue for people in country areas. Even if they have the additional payment, where do they go for it? There will always be some families that would prefer an individual payment. That is their view and they are entitled to it.