Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is frustrating when three parents come to me individually, not organised, and tell me that they cannot access speech therapy, physiotherapy or multi-disciplinary teams. They are in a school that is supposed to provide these services. The HSE admitted that during the moratorium it lost staff in the multi-disciplinary team and has a limited service to offer these children and because they are in the school they cannot get a multi-disciplinary team anywhere else.

I will quote what John, one of the parents of those children, said:

If we had to describe the crisis as a short-story in a short film, it would be similar to that described below. We parents of autistic children would be invited to a magic show to be held in St. John of God, Islandbridge. The performers and magicians would be the Departments of Health and of Education and Skills. Their assistants would be the many services in St. John of God. These magicians promised us parents that we were in for a treat and would have something wonderful. The show starts and the magician shows us around the establishment whilst pointing out that our children will get the best services. Like any magician, in order to convince us, he actually shows the staff of a multi-disciplinary team. As parents we cannot believe that these special people are real.

John goes on to say that at the end of the day they have been duped because they cannot access those services. The Taoiseach needs to intervene in this matter. What I am saying is true and I want a response. The Taoiseach should pull those Departments together and deal with the issue.

See this speech in context