Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the allocations, but there is concern at the speed with which recruitment is taking place and the long, drawn out process. The Minister of State might report on this matter.

Apparently, the work of the independent expert review group that the then Minister, Deputy Reilly, set up a few years ago to examine the Beechpark model of services was nearing completion last year. Has the group reported? Following an earlier Government decision, is the disability manager for the north of Dublin in place? Early intervention and assessment are critical. It is disappointing that the Minister of State does not have data. There is a major dearth of data on the incidence of ASD in the population, as Professor Anthony Staines's report shows. The level seems to have increased significantly in recent decades. What of our determination to identify this condition as early as possible and to help children?

While I welcome the Minister of State's point, we need more urgent recruitment and implementation. I also need data. The Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, gave me a reply-----

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