Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I was made aware the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, would not be able to take this Topical Issue tonight but, in fairness to her, I have worked very closely with her and can say she is totally committed to trying to recruit for disability services. One of the biggest issues I have been talking to her about recently is the inclusion of assessments and intervention from private service providers, which I welcomed. That made a difference but we still have a long road to go. As I always say to the Minister of State, early intervention is the only way forward. It is important that children are assessed early. That is the most important issue going forward.

I welcome the information on recruitment and await the final numbers for CHO 5. The Minister of State, Deputy Collins, is probably not aware we have a huge HSE site in Carlow and we will be getting a new CDNT building there which also includes the Holy Angels day care centre. I ask him to raise the funding for that project with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. While I welcome the €7.1 million that has already been provided, the cost of construction materials now means we may need extra funding for that new building. It is important we get that new building. It will make a huge difference to the children in County Carlow.

I referred to a lot of figures tonight but I have families coming in to me daily who are borrowing to get their children assessed because of the long waiting times. Timing is crucial and we do not want any family to have to borrow money from grandparents or other family members. We need to provide these services urgently. I know Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is committed but I ask that she would get back to me directly with regard to the recruitment and what is happening there.

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