Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

-----with the range of problems that affect children. I know from my own experience that parents of children who are deemed to be on the autistic spectrum can face a range of difficulties, some of which create significant challenges. However, some children progress very well and I refer to young people who have been categorised as autistic and who have graduated from third level colleges. It is therefore a case of continuously looking at what is in the best interests of each child. I take the Deputy's point about having a root and branch analysis of the domiciliary care allowance, which has grown over the years to broad proportions. I will certainly communicate what the Deputy has said to the Minister for Social Protection who is anxious to have allowances that are most effective in the interests of those they serve, as well as for their parents. I do not disagree with the Deputy's point about the need for an ongoing assessment of the nature, scale and effective quality of these kind of allowances.

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