Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Much of the extra money that has been allotted for this area is being swallowed up by private entities. The people trying to rear families that include children with severe autism will be the first to tell the Taoiseach that many of the private institutions that provide care do not represent value for money, although some of them do. In most cases, these entities are getting €24 per hour for this work. The money being allotted to this area could be used much better if the Government was not so obsessed with going to the private sector. This woman has been seeking a business plan for Evan's transition from child to adult services. The HSE will not even communicate with her. How she is being treated by the HSE is unbelievable. I will not name the people with whom she has had such a dysfunctional relationship, but it is not being done properly. The HSE has incredible questions to answer on this area. The Taoiseach says he will ensure that all children with special needs can maximise their potential, but that is not happening. It sounds false to these people. They are frustrated to death with the problems they are facing. Unfortunately, the HSE is a problem, not a solution, for them. Nobody appears to be able to hold it to account.

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