At the start of this week, I met with a number of schools in my constituency, particularly the special education teams. They were bemoaning the fact, and we have heard it everywhere, that children in their schools cannot get assessed quick enough and cannot get therapeutic supports quick enough.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, works well for thousands of people, mostly older people who have problems like cataracts and varicose veins. Sometimes, they travel outside their jurisdiction for treatment and sometimes they get treatment privately. It is, however, a very fluid, successful mechanism. I ask that this mechanism be considered for advancing children's needs, for therapeutic supports and, if it applies, for some psychological assessments.

I thank the Deputy. Time is up.

If it just allowed the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, to clear the backlog, surely it is worth considering.

The Minister, please. We have four questions.

First, in reply to Deputy Connolly, I said earlier that Ireland will make a decision on whether to intervene at the appropriate juncture, after the court has made its order on preliminary measures. In the past, we have never been found wanting. The Tánaiste is very much involved in this. Any of us who watch our televisions see what is happening in the Middle East. It is awful. It is heart-wrenching and sickening. We have done everything in terms of our diplomatic efforts at both the UN and EU and in the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court. We are in contact with the regional partners. Our focus is on the core aim of seeing the fighting stop. It is something about which we all feel very strongly.

Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of the pay talks. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, is engaging with the unions and will continue to do so and, hopefully, we will find a resolution there.

Deputy Gould raised the issue of Bus Éireann. I will bring up that with the Minister, Deputy Ryan.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will take the final question.

I thank Deputy Crowe for his question. We have explored that issue previously. It was in the programme for Government to explore the NTPF being used for such therapies. The NTPF works really well for stand-alone operations such as cataract removals or hip replacements. Children have to go for appointments and do not know whether it will be four, six or eight appointments. We did look at it and it would prove very problematic. We would also have to change the legislation, which can be done.

I had a meeting this morning with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, regarding waiting list initiatives, CAMHS and primary care psychology. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is also working on waiting list initiatives.

That concludes the Order of Business and a whole lot of other things as well, which allows us to move to the next business.