5. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the means by which, under the national human rights strategy for disabled people, the delivery of therapies and assessments will be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50191/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I wish to ask the Minister the means by which, under the national human rights strategy for disabled people, the delivery of therapies and assessments will be achieved. When I first put in this question, I actually asked a bit more that obviously related to other Departments, such as the cost of disability that relates to the Department of Social Protection, or issues that relate to transport or housing. We all know the issues that exist with regard to therapies and assessments. While I have received some figures back, I am seeking the latest update on the state of play so that we can actually offer a framework that provides the supports required by children.

Sentiment score: 0.25

No one is going to have a difficulty with the pillars or the strategy, but we have had many well written strategies before. This will come down to the roadmap and the actual action plan. We will be waiting until approximately November or December for that. Can the Minister provide me with that timeline? It will come down to the specific points in that. If we deal with the CDNTs and replies to my parliamentary questions, in April, there were 445.3 positions unfilled in the CDNTs. At the end of June, we were talking about 16,593 assessments of need, AONs, basically awaiting or overdue completion. We are talking about an end-of-year figure of 23,903. The figure at the end of July for those waiting on first contact with a CDNT was 10,714. Obviously, none of these figures work. Even in the area of in-school therapies, we are not where we need to be.

Sentiment score: 0.01

We agree that, obviously, the figures I have are not acceptable. If I am wrong or those figures have been updated, I would appreciate if I could have them, whether that is now or later in writing, because we need to know the depth of the issue. My fear is if those 445.3 positions were filled, the CDNTs would still not be able to deliver on the basis of the need. Cara Darmody has been a strong advocate for the position that, whatever legislative changes the Government proposes, the right to an assessment of need within six months cannot be rowed back from. I understand at this point in time there is an absolute breach of the law by Government on this but we cannot move away from that right, as exists. I ask for an update on the legislative changes the Government proposes around this.

Sentiment score: 0.01