Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

There is an agreed way forward. We have a very clear view forward regarding amending and reforming the legislation and the model around assessment of need and we want to work with people in good faith to get this right, including, most importantly, parents and those who carry out assessments of need - the clinical professions. The House can expect engagement from us on that very shortly.

We have seen an additional 272 staff in our children's disability network teams in the past year alone. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are actively engaging on further measures about retaining existing staff and attracting new entrants. We have seen that decision regarding significantly ramping up the number of therapy places in third level. Another thing we are working on that probably comes across the Deputy's constituency office desk - it certainly comes across mine - is our engagement with CORU to examine how we can speed up the recognition of qualifications for staff coming from overseas. I want parents looking in to know that, in the here and now, we are also taking action. There were proposals that as we build up capacity in the public sector and bring about reforms, we would also use capacity in the private sector. I assure parents that we have made a waiting list initiative available where there is procurement of private assessments. A further €10 million has been provided this year. This has seen a 30% increase in assessments of need carried out in the past year. In other words, 4,162 were carried out in 2024 compared to 3,205 in 2023.

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