Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not accept a two-tier system. However, I accept that we cannot have an assessment service only. We have to move on that. There are huge demands on existing services. As the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, it is my job to ensure we develop these services. As I explained earlier, we have a problem recruiting people. Unfortunately, the disability services have been drained over the past seven or eight years. We are now trying to catch up and reinvest.

Sadly, many of our speech and language therapists and educational psychologists have gone to other countries. We have an issue trying to fill posts, in this case in Cavan-Monaghan. My job is to get the HSE moving to fill the posts. I also accept the Deputy's point about the frustration of parents. Failure to intervene early will damage the children and will also cost more in terms of services.

The social care disability service plan for 2017 has a budget of €1.688 billion, an increase of 6% from last year. I accept that there are major problems, but we are trying to reinvest. I want to reform and focus on the person with the disability. That is my vision and strategy. Let us see if we can go ahead and do it.

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