Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My colleagues have highlighted the wide-ranging consequences that have come to pass as a result of the Government's failings when it comes to the children of our country. As my party's spokesperson for disabilities, I will concentrate on the issues that pertain especially to my brief. I am also aware from my constituency work in Cork South-West of the many families affected by having their children waiting on lists. It is not only the child but the whole family unit that is affected.

The number of children who languish on waiting lists is simply incredible. I have been highlighting this matter consistently since 2017, and yet at the end of October 2018, more than 36,500 people were awaiting speech and language therapy and a further 23,000 were awaiting occupational therapy. The majority of these were children.

The HSE service plans over a number of consecutive years provided for 129 children's disability network teams to be put in place by the end of last year. To date, 56 teams are in place. This is hardly a resounding success. Worse still, even with the significant numbers waiting more than a year for first assessments for occupational therapy, OT, there are no additional occupational therapists put in place to address the situation. This makes a mockery of the statutory six months turnaround from when a child enters the system.

It is well documented that if children are to stand any chance, early intervention is vital. As for speech and language therapy, sadly, the number of therapists employed has reduced rather than increased. Budget 2019 provides for the recruitment of 100 additional therapists. With the number of therapists falling, the Government is, unfortunately, on the back foot from the start. When will reality set in?

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