Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I welcome Kelly-Marie to the Public Gallery. In many ways, the response that I have is inadequate for the request that the Senator has made for Eve Lynne. I am cognisant that the words on this paper do not reflect the reality and the lived experience of so many parents, as he has rightly said. I have a strong connection with the disability sector in Cork and have been vocal on the matter, with the Senator, in this House. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who is unfortunately not here today. She sends her apologies.

The Minister and Department have set up a number of processes, including a number of briefing sessions for members of the parliamentary community. The Minister has committed to the continuing development and enhancement of the 93 CDNTs as they seek to ensure, as the Senator said, equitable access to services for all children with complex needs and putting a value on all of them together. As Senators will be well aware, the progressing disability services, PDS, roadmap has a focus on the ongoing development of CDNT services to meet growing and current demands. I acknowledge that the difficulties faced in this particular case and by many thousands of children, as the Senator said, who have had no meaningful occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech therapy, are unacceptable. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and Government are committed to addressing the ongoing challenges in recruitment being experienced by the HSE and the various lead agencies across a variety of disciplines and grades, in order to ensure that each CDNT is fully staffed.

St. Michael's House is the lead agency for Kilbarrack children's disability network team. I am told it accepted the referral of Eve Lynne in July last year and she is on the waiting list for the team. However, the CDNT has agreed to backdate her referral to the date of her initial clinical appointment in June 2022. I do not have good news for the Senator. Regrettably, at this time, I am informed that Kilbarrack CDNT advised that it is unable to give an exact date for an appointment. I give the Senator a commitment this morning, on the floor of the Chamber, that I will advocate on his behalf and of the family and Eve Lynne. I will talk to the Department personally when I leave today. I understand that the response I gave is unsatisfactory. I understand the frustration and annoyance. I know the Senator knows that I genuinely understand.