David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am interested in whether it can be expanded nationally. In the meantime I am sure the Minister realises that parents with a hyperactive child who suffers from fears of abandonment, anxiety, aloofness and phobias and who is acting out in all types of distressing ways really do need assistance. I take the Minister's point that parents must be understanding of financial needs, but this is exceptional and it goes beyond this. It is something which is not expected and they need support. Will the Minister examine whether the treatment abroad scheme could be used in exceptional cases whereby children and families can get assistance in the UK if they find themselves in this awful dilemma whereby parents adopt a baby and love and care for the child for many years and all of a sudden, when puberty arrives, everything goes wrong? They need assistance and help.

I understand assistance and help is there to a point in Dublin through Barnardos but it is not available nationally. We need to move fairly quickly to put in place this assistance and help. I am sure the Minister can put herself in the position of these parents. It is harrowing and difficult. The behaviours described to me are very distressing. Boys are lying, stealing and do not integrate with others. According to research it appears adopted children suffered this trauma 13.3% more than children who are not adopted. There is a need for help and assistance and a focus on this. Most of the children who are adopted thankfully have no difficulties but for some the difficulties are severe and profound. I thank the House and the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue and I thank the Minister for responding.

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