Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)
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I thank the witnesses for coming in to meet with us again.

I thank the NDA for all the fantastic information provided, and the team here as well. I was on the bus coming in this morning after being here late last night after the budget and it is fantastic information. Effectively, if we distil it down, this is potentially our roadmap. I was just saying to the group here that I am not so sure I have questions. Things I did have queries about have been very comprehensively answered. However, I do have a few questions remaining.

Does the NDA directly advise the new unit in the Department of the Taoiseach or are the advices - I will not say limited, because they are not in any way limited - going only to the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality? I am just conscious of the amount of information, including pilot studies producing excellent results, that could and should be replicated as a priority. Is there so much information, however, that it will be a barrier to timely action? Will the NDA be directly involved in the assessment of need review process?

Does the NDA carry out or is it aware and therefore accessing any studies on integrative supportive therapies, for example, art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy or equine therapy? It is similar with regard to different behavioural methods, such as mindfulness, that are not necessarily mainstream but anecdotally are producing excellent results as an assistance in respect of disregulation among children. Is the area of sensory and nurture rooms something that comes under the scope of examination of the NDA?

Given the delays in recruitment for the NCSE and HSE of therapists in speech and language, occupational therapy and the field of psychology, how does the NDA see a prioritisation within that timeline we have for the first review by the UN in 2027? Is any type of two-year project under way? I am not referring to a quick fix because I can completely understand the complexities and importance of getting things right. I refer, though, to the example of there being two months for a child or two years for a teenager transitioning out and maybe heading into the workplace or rehabilitative therapy. What can be done in the shortest timeframe? I do appreciate and I am very grateful for the amount of information the NDA gave us in advance of this meeting.