Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I have two or three questions. I do not know if they have been asked. It is just that I have to go back upstairs. We are in and out of meetings. These are questions about things that I see in my area. I am not sure whether I should come in now or in the next session. The Bill originated in 2021. We are still having the discussion on the basis of provision of services and supports, such as school places for children. That is unacceptable. I see in Carlow that even though everyone with autism is able to apply for disability allowance, not everyone will be deemed eligible. Although we have speech and language services; occupational therapy, OT, services; and child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, not every child with autism gets to access them. Although we have an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit in primary and secondary schools, not every child gets a place. It is the same with housing. Not every child will have a room built. It seems that there are huge issues there. Will this Bill change these real-life situations? That is my concern. It is welcome that the amendments have been made, but we need to move more quickly. There are families in my constituency at breaking point. We are in a huge dilemma. We are facing crises every day. Families come into us who feel their children are forgotten. A woman who came in to me a few months back told me that when her child needed special services and special equipment, she had to raise funds for it. The child has a disability, but it does not make a difference. It does not make sense that in 2023 we are in a situation where children with disabilities are fighting for services. The Department is failing them, by the way. This is a failing from the Department.