Tony Kett (Fianna Fail)

It is not possible in all cases to have a maximum period of three months placed on the finalisation of an assessment. A number of issues could arise if a small baby with developmental problems was brought for assessment. It would be impossible to complete an assessment within three months because of the child's size and emerging problems that may come to the fore in an ongoing assessment. It is not always possible to put in place a maximum period for assessment. Therefore, we cannot do so in a Bill.

Section 9(4) states: "Where it appears to an employee of the Executive that a person may have a disability or where a person is in receipt of a health service provided by the Executive or both . . . .". Surely this should refer to relevant employees who are in a position to make such a determination. This may be a flimsy notion. There are administrative staff in the Health Service Executive, but they would not be in any position to determine whether somebody has a disability. Should the wording not refer to "relevant employees" rather than "an employee"? A multidisciplinary judgment takes place in some assessments.