Ms Lauren Keogh:

I am also on the autistic spectrum. I was only diagnosed at 21, after Zara was diagnosed. When I was 21, I was placed in an adult psychiatric ward on the basis that I was bipolar. At the time, I could not communicate emotions because I did not understand them. It was the worst place for me at 21 years old, never mind a child as vulnerable as the children about whom we are speaking. I agree with what has been said in this regard.

In regard to waste, the question on the community centre and Senator Buttimer's question on how money is spent, including the 3% increase in 2016, in December 2013, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, on a visit to Japan visited Toyota to learn about Lean methodology, which for those who are not familiar with it is a programme related to eliminating waste, adding value and keeping in processes only those things that add value or have to be in place for compliance. None of the information he got from Toyota has been introduced here. Why not? In terms of our service, we adhere to lean methodology in terms of the elimination of waste. This will not happen over night there can be a lot of quick wins. We can make a difference by eliminating waste but to do that we need full staff. If all we have is a repeat of stories from one member of staff to another that is a waste of resources. There is a lot of waste, in respect of which I have many ideas but that would take all day.

In regard to Deputy Ó Céidigh's question on where the fathers are and their role, my husband is in the Visitors Gallery. He has been my rock. He has taken a lot of the abuse that I have taken from our daughter during her challenging times, which she tries extremely hard to control. My husband works full time and he tries to attend meetings. It is very difficult. Without him I would not be as capable of advocating as I am today.