Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the start of this week, I met with a number of schools in my constituency, particularly the special education teams. They were bemoaning the fact, and we have heard it everywhere, that children in their schools cannot get assessed quick enough and cannot get therapeutic supports quick enough.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, works well for thousands of people, mostly older people who have problems like cataracts and varicose veins. Sometimes, they travel outside their jurisdiction for treatment and sometimes they get treatment privately. It is, however, a very fluid, successful mechanism. I ask that this mechanism be considered for advancing children's needs, for therapeutic supports and, if it applies, for some psychological assessments.

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