Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to some of the statements about Down's syndrome. I have a nephew with Down's syndrome to whom I am very close. I have seen some of the failings within the system. I know that something as small as orthotics have become big issues. We are privileged to have the Delta Centre in Carlow. I do not know if our guests are aware of the facility. My nephew attends the centre, as do many others. It is a great facility. I work with disability services. The centre provides a great quality of life for those who attend and they do things like going out on a Friday night with their group. That is important. My nephew is in his 20s, as are the others with whom he is pally.

I find that getting a work placement for someone with a disability, whether Down's syndrome or something else, is an issue, even for a few weeks' work experience in a garden centre, a little restaurant or whatever. How do our guests find that situation? I feel that needs to be addressed better with regard to all services. There are always issues that we absolutely need to address. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has been to the fore and has met many disability groups in recent weeks. I know she is listening to all the concerns, which is what we need. That is important.

Ms Holmes spoke about getting services, including therapists. There is a two-year backlog in Carlow for children waiting for different services and therapists. That has become an issue. We cannot blame the Covid pandemic but it has played a part because it has disrupted disability services. At the moment, I am working with four or five families and trying to get them respite care. Overnight respite services were gone for the two years of the pandemic. I can only speak for my areas of Carlow and Kilkenny because I am well aware of the services there but I do not know if the same applies to other areas. In my area, day respite services for families started a few months ago. I know the same is being done in Wexford. It is working well but I feel families also need to have overnight respite as well. That is another issue on which our guests might come back to me. Are they aware of any overnight respite facilities?

There are considerable issues with regard to delays in the system. There is some funding available but not all that is necessary. We must make sure that we keep staff when we have them. We need to know why we are unable to get these services back up and running as quickly as we need them. I always feel that timing is crucial when it comes to children's treatment, as our guests will know. That is the case whether in the case of an assessment for autism or for a therapist, or whatever else. Timing is crucial.

When there is a backlog and the child is going to school, the school is looking for a report the parents do not have. That has become a huge issue. I understand there are flaws in the system that need to be addressed. In a way, I am giving more information than I am looking for. The witnesses will know all about Carlow before they go home. Is there anything else they might be able to fill me in on? Families are so good. Covid has been extremely hard for children with some sort of a disability so well done to all of the witnesses. They have been brilliant. The Government must now put funding into these services. I am a firm believer in that. We need to get these children in as soon as possible.