Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I understand from where Senator Fitzgerald is coming in regard to the time period to which Senator Norris referred. In the whole area of care assessment needs, to which several sections of the Bill refer, the real issue I have come across is the consultation process in regard to the assessment and the discussion with the individual and the family. There is currently a bit of passing of the ball from the social worker to the medical person to the GP, and from one set of suggestions to another, before people begin considering long-stay options.

Other areas of the Bill will also deal with this issue. I am not sure we can insert an assessment period because if a person is in assessment, the authorities may need to continue the assessment over a period of weeks as the person progresses either to a better or worse state of well-being, and assessment in such a situation might not work. There is room for improvement, however, and I am interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say. The one change I would like to see is more involvement on a case conference basis which involves the family with all the other participants in the care assessment to ensure there is full and clear understanding by and co-operation between those associated with the person under assessment and those who should be involved in assessing that individual.