Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State indicated several times that the care needs assessment is a physical assessment under subsection (7). Under subsection (6), however, it is clear that a care needs assessment takes into account family and community support as well as medical, health and personal and social services. The members of the multidisciplinary team are not defined under this subsection.

The Minister of State indicated that subsection (7) refers only to a physical examination. Where is the issue of the multidisciplinary team addressed? Who will do the assessment once it has been determined as being required under subsection (6)? If, under subsection (7), the evaluation will be a physical assessment and will be done by a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist or chartered physiotherapist, who are the multidisciplinary professionals who will carry out the assessment, as defined under subsection (6)?

I acknowledge the Minister of State's commitment to return to this matter and propose to withdraw my amendments until Report Stage.