Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

We are talking about a human being with very specific needs, as we are whenever a difficult situation such as this arises. The problem is that this woman will not make the necessary progress if she is not receiving treatment in a location that is specifically geared towards the special needs of a person with autism. That is the issue, not the quality of care or the staff, whom her family praise. She really needs the specialist input of those who deal on a daily basis with autism issues. This is in the Minister of State's area. Will the Minister of State have a real dialogue with the HSE and, even if it will not make a long-term commitment about a specific health care centre that has been named, at least ask it to provide the opportunity for a 12-week residential assessment? The matter can then be taken from there.

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