Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the €6.8 million announced by the Government to tackle assessment of need places. I know from dealing with families in Limerick that the number of people on the waiting list locally and nationally is very large. The €6.8 million is due to cover 2,500 children nationally and it is most welcome that private assessments will be paid for by the State. I understand families will not have to pay out in advance and that the State will pay the private provider directly. This is really welcome because I work with a school to do with disabilities and it has a huge waiting list for assessments of need. It will be a big relief to families because the waiting time was putting them under a lot of stress. I commend the Government. This was led by the new Department that was set up by the Taoiseach, with all Departments working together to look at areas where there is a need and where there have been long waiting lists.

I support Senator Gallagher's call for a debate on reducing the VAT rate to 9%. I have called for it for a long time. It is important we have that debate and put a plan in place in the lead-up to the next budget.