Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

The Taoiseach talks about progress and step-change but the HSE is saying that the shocking figure of more than 15,000 children overdue an assessment of need this year will be 25,000 by the end of this year. That is what is happening. He knows that early intervention is crucial for children. It makes a world of difference. It can mean the difference between children with the proper supports learning to talk, participate and make friends or, if they do not get that, getting left behind and left out. It makes all the difference. Where is the emergency action the Government is planning to address this? What will it do today to start fixing this? Will the Government start, as Cara is asking, complying with the law? When will it comply with the law?

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