Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Objectively, the previous budget was progressive. That is the finding of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and the finding of the documentation that is published on budget day. It was a progressive budget, and the measures taken were progressive.

The Deputy raised a fair point with regard to children with disabilities. There was a consensus in this House that we should help parents who are trying to go private to access those services. The Government today approved proposals around assessments of needs whereby the HSE will now use approximately €12 million - I believe up to €11.9 million - to fund assessments of needs using private capacity for children who are waiting for far too long.

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