Alex White (Labour)

I took the somewhat selfish view that I would concentrate on the amendment I tabled, but I will try to have regard to others. I hear what the Minister of State says with regard to talking to other bodies in an attempt to improve the situation. Accredited bodies are already provided for in section 37, as the Minister of State pointed out. Our amendments to section 35 contemplate an application being made directly to an accredited body whereas section 37 refers to the HSE taking certain steps that might include arranging for steps to be taken by an accredited body if the person has applied in the first instance to the HSE.

I hoped the Minister of State would hear what I had to say so I will wait until he is finished talking — I do not take it as a slight. I am not in favour of outsourcing to facilitate any dilution of standards nor would I be in favour of a measure if I thought there was a danger it would undermine the standards the Minister of State is correctly careful to uphold. That is not what is at issue, however. This is an administrative issue, as the Minister of State pointed out. If there is a group of people or an accredited body with certain skills, such as social workers who are responsible for these assessments, I do not see an objection in principle so long as there exists a mechanism whereby the HSE can apply standards. I do not see a difficulty in a regime where the accredited body could do that. There are plenty of examples where public bodies ensure that certain standards are applied and can outsource work. Many people of various political persuasions have promoted this as an approach to problems. Where there are large bureaucracies with major responsibilities, objectives and priorities, it may not be suitable always for an expert assessment to be made by a person working for that large organisation. It could be that one might ensure standards are applied by the accredited body but might outsource the task to the accredited body.

I agree with the comments made by Senators Mary White and Bradford with regard to long delays. People's genuine frustration cannot be emphasised enough. I have said what I wanted to about the accredited bodies and the Health Service Executive. I am well aware of the professionalism and application of many social workers engaged in this work. It is not in any sense a reflection on them or their professionalism to say that we need a different way of doing these things, be it as the Minister of State contemplates with the HSE set-up or whether accredited bodies might be able to do it. There are very fine social workers doing this work but it may be that they need to have some administrative and bureaucratic burdens taken from their shoulders so they can do the job they are trained to do.