Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear Deputy Collins loud and clear. We need to improve and organise more effectively the process under way at present nationwide. The key object is to bring about access to disability services consistently and to ensure services are delivered with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families.

I do not have the information available to Deputy Collins. I know St. John of God Services well, as does Deputy Collins, because the organisation is in our constituency. I admire the work done down through the years in St. John of God Services by all the people working there, including special needs assistants and those serving the community. I know many families whose children benefit from St. John of God Services.

I will certain bring the concerns of Deputy Collins and, to be honest, my concerns to the attention of the Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy McGrath. If Deputy Collins gives me the information she has, I will certainly bring it to the attention of the Minister for State.

I am unsure whether St. John of God Services is the poor relation, as suggested by Deputy Collins. However, if that is the case then something needs to be done rapidly to address the matter and I will support Deputy Collins in that regard. Until I have the full information before me, I cannot go back to the Minister of State. I will get the information from Deputy Collins and get the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, to reply to her.

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