Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This early intervention therapy programme over the past 36 years has been managed on a completely voluntary basis by parents of children with Down's syndrome.

Last month, The Irish Timespublished an article which described early intervention as vital for children with special needs. Without it, children with Down's syndrome will fall further behind with life-long effects on levels of independence.

Early intervention, if provided at the levels needed, allow children with Down's syndrome to reach their full potential with a view to leading lives as independent as possible as adults. This would reduce the need for interaction with adult disability services in later life leading to savings in future HSE budgets.

It is getting more likely that the branch will have to reduce the number of home visits its earlier intervention specialist makes to children on the programme for the first time since the programme began in 1982. This will have a detrimental effect on the 52 children who greatly benefit from participation on the programme and will increase demands on already overstretched State early intervention services provided by Enable Ireland and the HSE.

I am disappointed with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. He was always the one to stand up for Down Syndrome Ireland.

We have 52 families in Louth and Meath who are looking for a bit of help. The families are not afraid to put their hands in their pockets. We are getting money from the lottery. Fifteen thousand euro is not too much to ask from the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, and the Department. If one looks over the past number of months, the amount of money that the HSE and the Department of Health are squandering is an absolute disgrace.

These children with Down's syndrome deserve their rights. The families are working hard. Everyone involved is working hard. We are not asking the HSE to come and educate the children. These specialists are organised to call to these children's houses every second week during the school year for those up to six years of age. All the parents want is to help these children with special needs.

On behalf of the 52 children and their families who benefit greatly from this parent-led programme, I ask what can be done to reverse this devastating 60% funding cut. I know a 60% cut sounds like a great deal and €15,000 is a great deal of money, but the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, will definitely have to dig into his pocket. I beg him to just give the €15,000.

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