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

I share Deputy Smyth's concerns and fully appreciate the frustration felt by parents and public representatives at excessive waiting times. I assure the Deputy that the HSE and myself are acutely aware of the urgency of this matter. The implementation of the compliance improvement plans, reconfiguration of services, the prioritisation of areas of greatest need, the standardisation of the assessment need process and the introduction of revised standard operating procedure are some of the many initiatives being undertaken by the HSE nationally to address the waiting times for assessments and needs. The Deputy referred to Enable Ireland and I agree about the continuity of care. There are vacancies and there is a problem getting people into posts. Recently, many occupational therapists, psychologists and speech and language therapists have returned from England and things are improving. A figure of 177 is something that we should make a dent in and make a positive contribution. It is a figure that could be targeted and dealt with by providing extra resources that could resolve the problem before it goes further out of control. The Deputy spoke of a positive intervention. I will make my views known to the HSE, which I am currently in talks over the extra funding in the budget 2019. I give a commitment that I will make it a priority issue.

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