Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On World Autism Awareness Day, I am delighted to support the motion. I acknowledge those in the Visitors Gallery, as well as Deputies Funchion and Ó Caoláin for bringing forward the motion which I hope will receive unanimous support because there needs to be one voice on this issue. Children with autism need to have the same chance as every other child.

The Cork-Kerry region accounted for 40% of the country’s overall waiting list disability assessment waiting times. Within that figure, a significant cohort are waiting for ASD assessments just to start the process. While there is a three-month statutory limit, very few, if any, will realistically achieve it, with 80% of cases held back. That, in turn, wipes out any chance of an early intervention. After that, it is all about catch-up.

Services are overwhelmed, but that pales into insignificance when one looks at the overwhelming challenge with which parents are faced in having to fight the system, as well as dealing with their children's needs. The long distances young people have to travel to avail of autism services is also an issue in my area. An area as large as Ballincollig, while it has five schools, does not have an ASD unit. There is a need for one in the area.

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