Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Dr. Pat Matthews:

If we can provide in one area, we know what we need to provide. What is stopping us from providing it elsewhere? Is it lack of will or lack of finance? Or is it just that people do not care? That is what parents have to face. They need to know that there is someone caring for them, there will be a service and that their children can grow up as equal citizens – not ignored. It is the ignoring of the whole thing that is worrying. One then feels, “Oh well. They just do not care.” That is not the way it should be. People need support and to have trust in the Government. They need to know that when things go wrong, the Government is there to support them. If that goes, citizenship then becomes valueless, and we all need that. It is up to the State to do it for us. It has got to do it. Time is running out for too many people.

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