79. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reasons her Department accredits for the lengthy waiting lists for assessment of needs; the progress being made in developing legislation in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61490/25]

Sentiment score: 0.15

Will the Minister provide the reasons her Department accredits with the lengthy waiting lists for assessment of need? There has been much discussion on this in the last while. There has also been talk of developing legislation in this area. Will the Minister make a statement on the matter? From my last parliamentary question, the number of people on the waiting list is somewhere between 17,000 and 18,000; therefore, there is a lot to be done.

Sentiment score: 0.02

We all know the issue. The Minister is stating that the reason is the increase in population. We all accept that on some level. However, she is also stating that parents are trying to explore all options available to them. They are doing this out of frustration. I have heard that people who previously would have been able to get a service in primary care in other sets of circumstances are all being put on the assessment of need list. Therefore, can we have an assessment of the assessment of need list in relation to what needs to be done from a legislative point of view but also in relation to how we are actually going to deal with this issue? If we are still talking about it at the end of the year, I suggest that the number waiting over six months will have reached between 24,000 and 25,000. The State is in breach of the law in this regard. We really cannot have this ongoing conversation. We need to find a real solution.

Sentiment score: 0.11

I welcome the fact that we are not talking about removing that one right parents have to the six months. I have no particular issue with looking at the best means of offering assessments and therapies - we have had that conversation before - but, as the Minister herself has stated, we have issues in the system itself as to where referrals are going onto the assessment of need list. I am back to the operation of the AON administrative hubs, the Cara's fund money and the use of private practitioners. Have we maxed out the number of private practitioners who are available or is there more capacity there? We are still looking at, as I said, 17,000 or 18,000, and at the end of the year I assume we will still be looking at 24,000 or 25,000 who will be over the six months in which they should have had an assessment. None of this is good enough. Obviously, there is frustration. When will we get a handle on this? We cannot just continue having this conversation.

Sentiment score: 0.08

What will that look like?

Sentiment score: 0.36

The change in legislation.

Sentiment score: 0.00