Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Archbold, Ms Murphy, Mr. Darmody and Cara for attending. It is vital that we hear these stories and that people appear before us. In fairness, Cara's was one of the most powerful testimonies that I have ever heard.

If she were not 12 years of age, or if we did not know she was, we would never have said she was that age. Her testimony was powerful. That is not to plámás her in any way, but it was important she came in and made her statement on behalf of Neil and John. As Deputy Tully said, she has made history today. Well done to her on that.

I wish to put a couple of points regarding the psychiatrists who operate in the Kildare area. I will start with the special needs group in Athy. I thank it for all the work it has done over the years. When it started out it had a small number of people, but that number is growing and growing. I have attended a number of its events over the years and will continue to do so. The one thing I get from its events is the way in which it treats the siblings, as family, and the way family are affected. I would like to hear a comment from the witnesses from the group as to how that inclusiveness is very important, such that the child who has autism or the autistic person is not isolated, and how important it is that we include all family members, like Cara has given her testimony today on behalf of her brothers. It is important that that message goes out from the committee.

When we set up the committee, we spoke about a nine-month remit. It is a short space of time we have to put everything together. What we want is what the witnesses have done for us today, that is, to hear the stories. As Deputy Tully said, we had representatives from the HSE before us. In fairness to them, they answered our questions, but does anyone believe what they said? I do not because in my clinics, and for the people I deal with, this is just continuous. They are not getting the services. That is the bottom line and it is the bottom line the witnesses have pointed to today. Something needs to change.

Mr. Darmody referred to oversight. This is a political committee, but we have a Minister for Health who has to take responsibility for this as well. That is where this needs to go. If there is to be oversight of the HSE, it has to start there and with the oversight that is there, whatever the Government of the day or the committee's recommendations.

We have spoken about summer provision and the motion we have brought forward. We are depending on that to be implemented. We will use every political force we have to ensure that happens. The Government of the day, however, has to make sure that whatever recommendations are there and whatever services are needed are followed up on. That is essential.

Cara spoke of the house being on fire. That is what is happening out there. Every day - and I am sure this is the same for my colleagues - I get calls from people who cannot get school places, services or melatonin. Ms Archbold, Ms Murphy and Mr. Darmody might wish to speak about how that is affecting people. It is huge. Respite care is a major issue for families. It gives them a break. Mr. Darmody spoke about how his family's lives have been turned upside down. He used words such as "horrific" and "humiliating". That is unbelievable for us to hear, but that is what we hear day in, day out. The fire in the house has to be put out in some way.

I am a member of the social protection committee. We have talked about the means test for carers. That has to be got rid of. So many people are losing out on carer's allowance. We want to see money. One of the problems I come across from speaking to the people I deal with is that they are paying privately for services and they cannot afford to do so. They are going to community welfare officers. I have raised this before at meetings of the committee and at various other committees. The money is just not there. The families just cannot afford those services. It has come to the point at which this is all about money.

I have just a couple of questions. What is the effect of this on siblings, and how does the witnesses' group treat that? How has the cost of this affected Mr. Darmody's family? I ask so we get some idea of the money we are talking about.