Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I do not doubt the bona fides of what he said in terms of his personal concern for this child. To be frank, however, the response we got today indicates a Department with its head in the clouds. The Department is reliant on a health system to generate reports, which simply is not capable of doing it the moment.There may be other parts of the country where CDNTs are able to generate these reports, but the CDNT I am dealing with says it cannot do so because of resourcing issues.

There is nothing in the response that will provide any consolation or solace to Tristan's family or to the school. I spoke to the school principal this morning. The principal is very clearly of the view that Tristan requires assistive technology. It is wonderful to hear of the increase in the budgetary allocation in general to schools and we need to see so much more of it, but the educational professionals working with this child believe that he needs assistive technology. He simply cannot access or even apply for that because the CDNT cannot generate a report. It is absolutely disgraceful that the Department of Education is not stepping up and responding to the logjam within the health system. Something needs to be done.

It is reassuring to hear that a review is under way but we are now at the second last day of May and we are hearing that a review is to be completed by autumn. I find that very hard to believe. I do not believe the Department of Education will generate a review that actually means children like Tristan will get the assistive technology come September or October. We need to see much more concrete commitments if the Department is going to act proactively to ensure the children who need this technology can get it for the new school year.