Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all those who contributed to this debate and support the motion. All of us have children and families in our constituencies who have been waiting for years for services and assessments. We have heard from parents who have letters telling them their child will be seen for an appointment in November 2024 or four years' time. That is outrageous and has to be urgently addressed.

While I welcome the fact that the Government is not opposing this motion, can I assume it is supporting it? I wish to reiterate what we are calling for in the motion. The Minister talked about the High Court ruling, the preliminary team assessment and the reason the latter was introduced, namely to assess the needs of children to ensure they receive therapies or interventions quickly. That was not happening, however. Children were getting the preliminary team assessment only to be put on another waiting list for a proper, full assessment of need and services and interventions.

Some Members have talked about a review of the Disability Act. I agree it should be reviewed to bring it into line with the UNCRPD and to ensure it is based on a rights-focused model, but the rights of children must not be undermined or deleted in any way when reviewing it. In fact, the review should be used to strengthen the right of children to gain access to services and interventions.

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