Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I raise this important issue on behalf of the many parents who are concerned at the reduction in the provision of respite care. I refer specifically to the provision of respite care for young people suffering from autism and Asperger's syndrome. Many young people on the autism spectrum feel emotionally isolated in their own world. Often they cannot or are reluctant to go outside and mix with other children. The lack of early intervention and the long wait for appointments and treatment puts immense pressure on the parents and families of these children. The responsibility of care rests almost entirely on their shoulders and, sadly, many feel ignored and abandoned by the health service.

Parents face significant challenges while they care for an autistic child. Many say they would be lost without the support of friends and family. They also say that the support of outside groups is invaluable at times when they simply need a break. This is where respite is so important; it gives them time-out and serves as an important coping mechanism for them and their partners.

In many of these families, one parent gives up work to care 24 hours, seven days per week for a child with autism. They see respite as a valuable period of several hours or an overnight period during which time they can entrust their child to a dedicated service and do simple things for themselves that would be impossible otherwise. Respite provides a safe haven for young people with autism to meet their peers and engage in social activities. The nurses and staff who work in respite services are fantastic people with a specific understanding of their conditions.

However, in recent months provision of respite in our communities has been reduced. This is due to reduced staffing levels which have come about as a result of staff going on leave. In addition, the moratorium on staffing in the HSE is having a detrimental effect on respite hours. Services are stretched and simply cannot cope with the demand for respite. Many families are struggling and parents are devastated that their lifeline is being taken away.

Under the HSE plan for 2012 provision has been made for investment of €1 million for autism services. This will be used to address waiting times for specialised treatment for children who have been diagnosed with autism and to develop early intervention teams. I welcome this commitment but we need to address urgently the problem of inadequate provision of respite for families of young children and young adults with autism. Young Irish people with autism have specific needs but we in Ireland are only slowly waking up to the seriousness of autism and how best to treat and care for children and young adults with autism.

See this speech in context