Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

Amendments Nos. 7 and 8 propose to impose a timeframe for the commencement of care needs assessments. I appreciate the policy intention of these amendments. It is envisaged that care needs assessments would be undertaken quickly. However, it is considered imperative the legislation should be flexible on this point. This is particularly pertinent having regard for the fact that the legislation will establish a scheme that will have to accommodate the needs of a rapidly growing demographic.

In drafting the Bill, careful consideration was given to the Disability Act 2005 which provides that assessments must be commenced within three months of the date of application. Assessments of need require a considerable level of resources, particularly dedicated input by health care professionals. As such the stipulation of the timeframe for commencing assessments within the Disability Act has necessitated that a phased approach be taken to the roll-out of needs assessments. However, even with a phased approach the HSE service plan 2009 reports that only 79% of assessments commenced within the timeframe.

Given the variable length and potentially time and resource consuming nature of the assessment, the rapidly growing demographic to which it relates and the experience gleaned from the roll-out of assessments under the Disability Act, it would be unwise to immediately implement a statutory timeframe in respect of care needs assessment.

For these reasons, I will not accept these amendments. I will, however, offer the Deputies a commitment that the issue will be addressed by way of published guidelines, approved by the Minister. Furthermore, the issue will be tabled for consideration in the review of the scheme which will take place three years after its introduction.

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