Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy again for raising this very important matter, which is a priority for the Minister and the Government. This is reflected in the current programme for Government, which includes a clear commitment to support families who are waiting for assessments of need and to ensure children and their families can access the supports they need. The Minister understands the scale of the challenge but is encouraged by the activity under way. This is delivering results in the increased number of completed assessments and ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity in the public system to deliver assessments of need. The Minister also knows that there is a lot more to be done, as the Deputy outlined. She has tasked officials within her Department to delve deeper and identify issues within the assessment of need system that are causing delays. She has also asked them to consider those large system-wide factors where parents feel their only option is to seek an assessment of need for their child. In addition, officials in her Department are working with HSE senior management and experienced clinicians to identify legislative changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency within the assessment of need process. It is important to note that any proposed changes will not affect the statutory right of any person to access an assessment of need. The Minister can assure the Deputy that the matter will continue to receive the most urgent attention and Government will continue to work intensively and collaboratively to put in place an effective and efficient assessment of need system to deliver the service that children and their families need.

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