Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All the officials will agree it has been a huge issue today when they talk about the imperative that there be early intervention when a child is diagnosed with autism. There are reports of considerable delays right across the country. They heard Deputies in Cork speaking about their own constituency. I have experienced it in my own constituency in Wexford. Right across the country one hears these terrible stories, and on the media as well, of the considerable delays.

It is terrible when one hears of children being diagnosed with autism by NEPS. Could NEPS give me a reply on the waiting times between when the child gets a diagnosis of autism and the provision thereafter of the therapeutic services outside of those provided in the school? Is there a specified target date for providing those services after diagnosis? I accept there is an issue with the HSE in delays but is there a better way for us to streamline our services between the Department of Education and the HSE?