Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister knows personally, at least as well as anybody else, that there is an identifiable need in this area that does not need to be highlighted by an independent review. The information is undoubtedly within the system, within the HSE and within the Minister's Department. There is no excusing the fact that he did not use any of the announced funding in 2012. He has used only €300,000 of it this year and, while another €1 million is signalled for 2014, there is now €1.7 million that could be spent on enhancing services for children with autism at different locations around the State. That need is beyond review. It is long established and is crying out to be addressed. How quickly will the Minister ensure that the essential money is released to those who will make the best use of it and deliver the best additional high quality services for children in all of these other locations, who most certainly are as deserving as the children of the greater north Dublin area for whom the Minister has already provided?

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