Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

To follow on from Deputy Finian McGrath's comments, this pertains to a cohort of young people, many of whom have profound disabilities. At the best of times it is a difficult challenge for parents who are involved in caring for such children on an ongoing basis, without being left in limbo in which they do not know what will happen from 1 September onwards. To be quite honest, it is not good enough that we are telling those parents in the middle of July that they will find out their position very soon. An intellectual disability database was set up to ensure this crisis would not be replicated year after year, yet parents will now have to wait until the end of July.

How many families have received a letter from the HSE at this stage? How many families have a full placement or a part placement offer from the HSE, or even a placement for part of a year, which is only kicking the can down the road? How many families have now been left on a waiting list with no service provision whatsoever? These are basic questions and I hope the Minister can answer them.

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