Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know it is one on which both he and I are committed to seeing progress. In representing our constituents, we all have had the experience of meeting parents who have been waiting for too long for the assessment of their children's needs - both of us have done that - and unfortunately, then for the therapies they also need.

We must do all we can to relieve the pressure on these families and on front-line staff. The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach has established a new Cabinet committee on children, education and disability, which includes all responsible Ministers and Departments. This committee has already met a number of times and the issue of disability has been front and centre. At the most recent meeting, there was a focus on the waiting list for assessment of need and on how we can increase the use of the private sector to deliver results for families who are waiting for long periods. Private assessments are already taking place with €16.5 million already set aside for the HSE to procure diagnostic ASD assessments through the private sector and we are examining what more we can do.

That work is very much being led by the Taoiseach, who is working extremely closely with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, visited our own constituency. She came up to Monaghan and she met the people at first hand. She spoke to them and there is no better person to advocate and work extremely hard for the rights of people with special needs and with disabilities. I am pleased to say today that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, together with the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is spearheading a new long waiting list initiative. That will be announced very shortly and will be underpinned by both investment and importantly, a real sense of urgency to address this issue.

The Deputy also mentioned children with special educational needs. For them to receive a high-quality education is also a priority for this Government. More than a quarter of the entire education budget is dedicated to special education and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who sits at the Cabinet table, takes responsibility for this portfolio. In that capacity she is determined to be a voice for special education and inclusion at the highest level of government. The new Cabinet committee on children, education and disability includes all responsible Ministers and Departments and I know the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is reviewing the need for special schools across the country and that is something she is working on together with the Minister, Deputy Foley.

I absolutely acknowledge, as does the Deputy, the need for a new special needs school in County Monaghan. We have a fine upgraded facility in Cootehill, County Cavan, namely, the Holy Family School. It recently received a multimillion euro investment and is state-of-the art but unfortunately there is a waiting list there and there are more and more children who require this service. This Government is committed to providing the services we need to make sure our children get priority.

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