Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Amendment No. 99a seeks to address concerns expressed on Committee Stage that a complaint about a failure to complete an assessment might not be possible under section 14(1)(b). I am pleased to bring forward this Government amendment to bring clarity to the situation. Amendments Nos. 98, 99 and 104 seek to insert further grounds of complaint either where an assessment is denied or about the contents of an assessment.

I am satisfied that the Disability Bill supports the right to an assessment. Any person who considers he or she has a disability can apply for assessment as outlined in section 9(1). Those who apply for an independent assessment will therefore receive one. I assure the House once again that there is a clear and unequivocal right to an independent assessment of need. That is a statement of fact.

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