Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the case we are discussing the child received an extra year and it was known this would happen a year ago. I understand a care plan was being worked out at Christmas. The difficulty with this is the cost involved. Many children with extreme autism or extreme needs are in a residential setting. In some cases four nurses and four carers may be involved. The family believes it is blessed and not cursed. Many people listening to this at home will wonder how the family copes. There is a responsibility on us as public representatives to support such families. His mother wants to keep him in the home. His medical prognosis for the future is not good because of the medication. I have never seen such medication as I did in a press in this house. The woman in question has three children with severe needs. Her husband is not well and clearly she is not well either. She will have an operation shortly for her cancer. We are speaking about a very unusual case. I hope this care package will become operative and the family will be supported.

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