Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for the tone of his reply. It was really important because this is about compassion, fairness and efficiency. The fact that such a high proportion of decisions are overturned on appeal suggests that the initial assessment process is not working as it might. It does create unnecessary stress and pressure on parents who are already under additional pressure. I also want to recognise the increase in the income disregard in the carers' allowance. For a long time and for many of those families in that situation, this was the only payment they were getting from the State to support the children with disabilities. With the Minister's initiative on the income disregard, many more of those families will hopefully receive more support.

Perhaps the Minister has already done so, but will he commit to publishing regular statistics on approvals, refusal rates, processing times and appeal outcomes? Perhaps the Minister will also establish a working group with parent representatives and disability advocates so that we deal with this issue in a humane and compassionate way.

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