Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

There are 414.5 whole-time equivalents. I thank the Minister of State. As she said, while this is a welcome increase,l a huge number of posts still need to be filled. I fear we are still talking about another four or five years, based on that growth, to deal with the number of unfilled positions. As I have asked this before, does the Minister of State believe that if all these positions, given how long will that take, will we have a fit-for-purpose service? There are issues in the delivery of the assessment of need. While I have no issue with having conversations with stakeholders, particularly SLTs, OTs and whoever else about the best way to deliver both assessments and therapies, I am very afraid of a move that is just about changing the law so the Government is not in breach of the law on assessments of need.

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