I raise the issue of the thousands of children in the State who have developmental difficulties. Being the parent of a child who has these difficulties or challenges is a cause of lingering and continuing stress and worry. Early intervention can make the difference, as I know, between a full life and one that is significantly diminished. Assessments are taking place but therapies are not available. Training unqualified parents is not satisfactory. Some parents who have contacted me can afford to pay the average €150 per week on speech and language therapy, cognitive tests, occupational therapy, autism spectrum disorder assessments, psychologists and paediatricians and avoid three-year waiting lists. A three-year wait is too long for a family and for their suffering child. Will the Tánaiste intervene?

I share the Deputy's concerns about the very long waiting lists for some of those assessments and therapies. I will ask the Ministers for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Health to provide a detailed answer on the action being taken to improve the situation.