Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That reply answers my question. I rest my case. They are not qualified and therein lies the whole problem. They are dealing with children with severe intellectual disability on whom extensive clinical assessments have been carried out by a range of therapists, clinical psychologists, child psychologists, occupations therapists and more. We have people who are not qualified adjudicating on those applications. I see that two medical assessors have been lost since I received a reply last week stating the number was 27.

I cannot stand over the fact the State is not addressing the needs of our most needy children. I have sent in rafts of forms and supporting documentation. Today proves that doing so is not worth the paper the forms are written on. These applications have been assessed by those who are clinically qualified in the HSE and in the early intervention services in the country. We need medical staff who are clinically qualified to assess those applications. I know the Minister of State cannot answer that question but I appreciate that he came to the Seanad to reply to my question.