Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Regarding those on the waiting lists, and this is an issue I have written to the Minister of State about, I take the opportunity to flag a communication issued by the HSE to parents with a child or children on the waiting lists for assessments of needs in the last couple of weeks. It told parents that if they did not respond to say their child still wanted the assessment of needs and to remain on the waiting list by a certain date, they would be taken off the waiting list. I raise this issue here because parents are already under enough pressure. I do not think it is right for the HSE to put it back on parents. I have seen the communication. It states this action must be undertaken to progress the application, which really does not make any sense at all at all. These children are on the waiting list for the assessments of need. Parents should not be told their children will be taken off the waiting list if they do not respond to the HSE and confirm they want their children to remain on it. I would be concerned that children would be removed if this is what the HSE is doing. I have seen the communication. I ask the Minister of State to please ensure no child is removed from the waiting list for assessments of needs because their parent did not respond to this request from the HSE.

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