Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome that response. The Minister of State will recall a meeting I attended, along with other colleagues, with the Minister of State and the Cavan Monaghan parents committee. One of the very strong demands they outlined that day was the need, due to the shortage of therapists, for the HSE to employ therapy assistants. The Minister of State took it upon herself at that meeting to follow up on this matter and I am very glad she is indicating to us tonight that there will be progress and that additional services will be provided.

Again, I cannot emphasise enough the desire of all of us to ensure that delays are eliminated in children getting assessments and follow-up treatment. On that day and at other meetings in counties Cavan and Monaghan, the Minister of State listened to the passion, concern and worry of many parents who are doing everything possible to give the best chance to children with a disability. Sadly, today, too many children do not get an appropriate school setting because of delays in getting assessments and treatment. Hopefully, that can be reversed.

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