Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

We all know the issue. The Minister is stating that the reason is the increase in population. We all accept that on some level. However, she is also stating that parents are trying to explore all options available to them. They are doing this out of frustration. I have heard that people who previously would have been able to get a service in primary care in other sets of circumstances are all being put on the assessment of need list. Therefore, can we have an assessment of the assessment of need list in relation to what needs to be done from a legislative point of view but also in relation to how we are actually going to deal with this issue? If we are still talking about it at the end of the year, I suggest that the number waiting over six months will have reached between 24,000 and 25,000. The State is in breach of the law in this regard. We really cannot have this ongoing conversation. We need to find a real solution.

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