David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter and I also thank the Minister of State for dealing with it. I am raising the issue on behalf of school leavers with autism and special needs, who typically attend special schools or special classes in mainstream schools. As the Minister of State is aware, these are very special young people. They are aged about 17 or 18 and are among the most vulnerable in our country. The Minister for Finance vowed to protect them in his Budget Statement of 14 October 2008.

I have been approached by a number of parents who are very concerned about the availability of places in day service provision from next September. I have a letter from one of the service providers, which states that having attended a meeting with HSE south in April, they were informed that there may not be any new moneys available for day service places this year. Essentially, HSE south is requesting that, where possible, any new individuals requiring a day service this year should be accommodated within existing resources. Unfortunately, this is not possible as it will lead to an inferior quality of service with a much higher staff-to-client ratio that may not meet a child's needs. HSE south is still waiting clarification - I assume from the Department - as to whether any moneys will be made available in the months ahead. However, there is now a strong likelihood that nationally many individuals will be left either without any day service at all, or perhaps one that is limited to two or three days a week. Parents tell me that would be very disruptive to their children who need a routine.

I am asking the Minister of State to give a commitment that resources will be provided so that every young person can be accommodated. Towards 2016 does give commitments in this regard, so I would ask the Minister of State to ensure that they are met. A key focus under the life cycle framework in Towards 2016 is activating people to take up employment or other activities. One of the long-term goals in section 33 states that "every person with a disability will be supported to enable them, as far as possible, to lead full and independent lives, to participate in work and in society, and to maximise their potential". For day services this implies both a fulfilling environment and developmental possibilities for those participants who want to become more independent. This in turn means that a person-centered approach and linking days services and providers into the world of wider opportunities.

While we are in challenging economic and fiscal times, we must not lose sight of where we want to get concerning the long-term goals and the development of services of people with disabilities. The need to harness all resources to achieve common ends that respond to the health, personal and social services, as well as the education, training and employment needs of people with disabilities, must be a priority.

In mid-2007, the HSE established a national review group to carry out a strategic review of HSE-funded adult day services for people with disabilities. I understand this was supposed to be completed in 12 months. Can the Minister of State tell me what is the current status of this review? I have been unable to ascertain this information.

I have been speaking to parents who are extremely worried. They say that children with autism and special needs required a routine and need to be challenged. If they are home they will be very anxious. They are young adults of 18 or 19 years, who have an intellectual level or mental age of a five year old. They cannot be left on their own but they can be helped and trained to do certain things.

I am told that about €20,000 per annum would provide a service for each of these children. At the moment, I am aware of at least seven or eight such children who are waiting to get into at least one service provider in the Cork region. I am told that this could become a national problem, but before it does I ask the Minister of State to intervene.

At this time of the year, the service providers and the special schools often enter into a transitional process whereby children can go to the service providers one or two days a week and get used to the routine. That is not happening now, however, which puts them back even further. This matter is serious and urgent because those concerned are the most vulnerable. I hope the Minister of State has good news and will act on this. I am sure he will because I have faith in him.

See this speech in context