Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

This sounds more like an Ard-Fheis. Last weekend the Taoiseach told the nation he had lots of money to give away. Earlier the Committee of Public Accounts stated the Government wasted €13 billion, which is more than the Taoiseach had in mind. However, the contrast is stark. The message from the Government regarding mental health provision is that it cannot afford the most basic services. The Irish Independent reports today that 5,300 pupils will be hit by the withdrawal of psychological services from 29 schools in Dublin and Wicklow.

Did the Taoiseach see the media coverage of the court case involving Seán Ó Cuanacháin, a young Wicklow boy with autism? Bearing in mind that the Minister for Education and Science welcomed the court judgment, did the Taoiseach see the boy's mother, Yvonne, stating, "The light of learning has all but been extinguished from Seán today". I do not ask the Taoiseach to comment on the case because aspects of it are ongoing and I do not suggest there is only one method for teaching children with autism. Given that Mrs. Ó Cuanacháin is seven months pregnant, spent nine days in the witness box, is a trained psychologist and only sought what her child needs — 30 hours of applied behavioural analysis a week, which would save the State money — does he welcome the outcome of the case? Does he welcome forcing parents in that position into court to obtain the services their children need? Following the case, will the Government provide funding for autism services such as ABA? Will the Taoiseach ensure the waiting lists for an appointment for assessment, which can take up to two years, will be reduced? Will the Government recognise ABA as a sufficient qualification for teachers of children with autism? Can the Taoiseach seriously just sit there and welcome that judgment without answering these other questions?

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