Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support what was said by my two colleagues. This issue does not just affect Sligo and Leitrim or Cork but is nationwide. In Donegal, unfortunately, there is a similar situation. Children with autism and their families must undertake a lengthy journey to access services given that early intervention is not early and assessments are not provided. I have spoken to parents who had to pay for private assessments having waited for two to three years in order to find out that their child is on the spectrum. They then have to identify a different type of classroom environment where their child can flourish and grow, only to find out that such an environment does not exist within any reasonable proximity to their family life. It is simply unacceptable. This Government is failing the parents of children with autism. A joined-up approach is needed from the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills to make sure that the services are in place to support those children and their families.

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