Assessment of needs important step in children's lives
In the Dáil this evening, Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe said it has been described to him as both the best and most difficult day of their lives.
It is a big statement, but it unflinchingly captures the magnitude of that moment.
There is an awareness that a mountain lies ahead, but when it is done well an assessment of need provides a map to help the child and their family find their footing.
It is not the end by any means, but it is an important step.
But by the end of this year, there could be up to 25,000 children waiting for that assessment even though the law states that it should be provided within six months.
All this against the backdrop of indisputable evidence that early interventions are essential for a child's development.
As disability rights campaigner, teenager Cara Darmody, began her 50-hour protest at Leinster House to highlight this issue, she called on Government to declare this a national emergency.
She will sleep outside the national parliament tonight to urge the Government to do more.
There is an acceptance in Government that the current system is broken.
Minister for Children Norma Foley is going to pare back the central place of the assessment when it comes to accessing services.
"Making these therapies far more accessible is seen as the key to resolving this seemingly intractable problem."
Already it is not a requirement for most health services and from now on it will not be needed for the Domiciliary Care Allowance.
There will be more therapists hired, and funding will be made available to have assessments carried out by private operators.
The fundamental change though is a planned altering of the current legislation.
It is not clear if the six-month deadline will be amended but it seems certain that the number of hours taken to complete the process will be cut.
This currently ranges from 37 to 90 hours per assessment and there is a view in government that expert therapists could be better deployed helping children directly.
And making these therapies far more accessible is seen as the key to resolving this seemingly intractable problem.
But it is not without risk given that a child usually has just one chance to have their needs accurately measured.
Anything that looks like a watering-down of that process will no doubt draw the ire of the opposition.
More importantly it could leave children and parents with a needlessly incomplete guide to living a life where they hope challenges can be overcome and potential can be actualised.
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