Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all welcome increased recruitment but the fact is that whatever the figures say, we have all been inundated with requests from parents who cannot get assessments or therapies for their children. We all know the issue. We have all had an over-and-back in regard to the fact school-based therapies could deal with some of this issue. However, if we look at the recruitment levels on the basis of how this happened last year, it would take at least two years at the same speed to fill the gaps and achieve a complete workforce. Again, that is only on the basis of the numbers that are set out at present. Given there will constantly be a need for these reports, we need to see real movement in this regard. Can the Minister give any sort of timeline for when those positions will be filled? Beyond that, if those positions are filled, will we be able to provide the correct service in regard to assessments of need and therapies for those children with autism and their parents?

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