Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I will speak about my own area because I know it best. Is the Minister of State aware that the child and adolescent mental health services in the Limerick area are dealing now with applications from 2005? Anybody coming in since then will be waiting approximately two years. We are speaking about young children who need these tests done so they in turn can get help with various issues involving education and so on.

Is the Minister of State aware there is no occupational therapist at all for those aged over ten years in the school system in Limerick? Is he aware people are waiting up to two years and more for occupational therapy services for young school children? In most cases the people just give up and go private if they can afford it. Even if people can afford private care, I believe it is almost impossible to get a private OT.

Is the Minister of State aware there were 183 unfilled occupational therapy posts, according to an answer given to my colleague, Deputy Roisín Shortall, in January of this year? Will the Minister speak to his colleagues in the Department of Education and Science about the crisis position on getting support for children in schools? People cannot get the necessary tests in the health service for the supports they need in the education service.

I urge the Minister of State to talk to the Minister for Education and Science about this as there may be a way around the problem. It is possible the young people will not have to get all these tests in order to get the supports they need in the education service. It is a crisis which must be responded to. If children lose these early years, they lose the chance to progress.

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