Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and I welcome the fact he will meet the family. It is a positive development. I would have a different understanding on the HSE's engaging closely with the family and the service being provided on a gradual basis. The ten hours of home support is in place for a year. How gradual is it? Will they have to wait another year for the hours to increase? I take exception to the issue of the two staff. There is possibly a need for two staff and I have no difficulty with it. However, the family should not be classed as having 20 hours because two staff are there. The two people are in the home for only ten or 15 hours and it is an unfair calculation on the part of the HSE.

I welcome that the Minister of State is willing to meet the family and maybe we can discuss it further at that stage. Although I would be reluctant to raise something like this as a Topical Issue matter, it is important and sometimes it is the best way to highlight the situation on behalf of the family and many others in my constituency who suffer as a result of a lack of support services for children, particularly teenagers who have autism. It can be very difficult when a person reaches the teenage years and is in that in-between stage between child and adult. I will follow it up with the Minister of State.

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