Disability legislation obliges the State to provide assessments of need for children with disabilities within six months of referral. This early assessment is vital as children use it as a gateway to access therapy services such as psychology, speech and language, etc. It is universally accepted that early diagnosis, treatment and support give the best outcomes for health, welfare and quality of life for these children into adulthood. More than 11,000 children are now waiting for assessments of need over the six-month limit, many for two years or more. This Government is clearly and knowingly in breach of the law in this regard, as was the previous Government. When does the Government propose to implement the law to give these vulnerable children their legal entitlements?

The entire assessment of need process has to be reformed. That may involve and necessitate legislative change. The Government will work on this and will consult the Minister for disability and children on that issue. In addition, we have fairly set targets and objectives in respect of disability across the programme for Government, in particular with regard to developing an education-based approach to therapies in situ, beginning with special schools. I will establish a unit in the Department of An Taoiseach specifically dedicated to the disability question so that we have a whole-of-government approach to disability over the next while. I intend to prioritise it.