James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply, even though I cannot stress enough the importance of this issue. I have spoken to a number of parents who, essentially, are banging their heads against a brick wall because the assessments of their children have simply been placed on hold for the duration of the period of leave. The Minister of State's reply contains information which is contrary to what I have been given. Once the leave is complete, a child will be placed in a backlog queue and all the while expected to navigate his or her first year or two in primary school without the professional support he or she desperately requires. As the Minister of State is aware, this pertains to children who are just about to start primary school and need a little additional help in certain areas of their development but, essentially, they are being told that while the State is sorry, their assessment is on hold because the HSE is not providing cover. Tht is the case in County Longford. It is not acceptable and this issue should be taken seriously, although I have no doubt that it will by the Minister of State and the Department of Health. These children should not be obliged to wait in limbo for almost 12 months until their assessments are approved officially by the HSE. I plead with the Minister of State to intervene as soon as possible on behalf of the children of County Longford.

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