Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We raise these issues to try to get some action on them. This year's budget provided an allocation for 100 new therapy posts, but the CHO 7 area has yet to be advised how many of these will be allocated to it. Clearly, this sector needs to be prioritised. It is unacceptable that any child should have to wait 42 months to access key services that would transform his or her life. Not getting that access impacts on the child's development.

To be positive, will the Minister of State ask the Minister to use whatever influence he has in this matter? I have outlined the gaps in the area's team. I do not blame the team operating out of Chamber House, as it does not have the key personnel. This is not the team's fault. However, families and children are being impacted. I have tried everything and do not know what else I can do. The only route I can recommend to the families is for them to go to the courts. I do not want any family to have to do that just to get what the family's children are entitled to, but that seems to be the only option open to them. It would be a costly affair for the State, which will have to deliver services for these children eventually anyway. Clearly, the State is not doing so now. No one can say that the system is working.

The Minister of State's response was actually more depressing than the figures I outlined. This matter needs greater focus from the Minister. I realise that he faces other difficulties, but these are vulnerable children and this issue will not just affect them now, but also as they get older. I ask that whatever resources can be allocated to these children be put in place, particularly the additional resources that were budgeted for this year. This sector needs to be resourced immediately.

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