The Taoiseach has met Cara Dermody a number of times. It is very unfair that a child of that age has to come up here each week in all kinds of weather with her father - her mother Noelle is at home looking after her two younger brothers - to look for something that is supposed to be provided under the law. The Disability Act clearly states that children must be assessed within a given period of time. How can the HSE and the Department of Health knowingly and intentionally flout the law in respect of children with autism and other special needs all of the time? Cara should be out ag súgradh leis na cailíní óga. She should be playing and having fun rather than coming here every week. My goodness, how long must she do so? Her father has said they are going to keep coming here until they get proper movement. They have met three former taoisigh and many Ministers for Health. Cara's family lives in the village next to me, Ard Fhíonáin. It is time that this issue was looked at with sensitivity and that public bodies such as the HSE are held to account and made to observe the law.

There is certainly no need for Cara Dermody to wait at the gates of Government Buildings to see me. I have already met her in person and I will meet her again. I want her to be able to enjoy her summer, as I want all children to be able to enjoy the summer. There are very important issues in respect of assessments of need. Cara has already helped to bring about some significant changes including, as I have just mentioned, the decision taken with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to provide extra money amounting to approximately €6.9 million to provide private assessments. We are working to do more on assessments of need and to answer the challenge that Cara has put to us.