Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Taoiseach says he cannot do this tomorrow. I understand this, but he has been there for nine and a half years. I accept his statement that he did not get the opportunity to watch the programme. However, I ask him to take time out, leave off one of the pub openings or other commitments and watch the programme to see what it is like to be a parent responsible for a child with a chronic behavioural disorder, attention deficit disorder or autism and yet be unable to even get a psychological assessment.

After nine and a half years, the HSE's own assessment is that 3,000 children are awaiting an assessment. The former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods promised in 1999 that all primary schools would have this access by 2004 so this issue is not new. Can the Taoiseach tell us whether some of the vacancies in the service are due to the embargo? If they are, will he assure the House that the embargo will not apply to posts in this particular area?

If this situation arises because of tax relief introduced for care from the private sector, why do parents in the most difficult situations not have access to the National Treatment Purchase Fund?

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