Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will support the motion on what is, importantly, World Autism Awareness Day.

We need to break down the barriers that effect children with autism and their families. At present, the waiting lists for a child to be assessed are up to two years, and during this period, no supports are in place for families such as an occupational therapist or a speech and language therapist. I have met a family at first hand in west Cork in the past two weeks who had no other choice than to go away and get a private assessment done, which cost them €1,700. This was an ordinary family on a basic wage and it was a struggle for them. From where does the Government think families can come up with such sums?

I am not sure that the Government realises the vital importance of earlier intervention for children under six years. It is proven that a child's brain is developing at this age. If early intervention is provided, the child will have a better chance of going on to live an independent life, and has a greater chance of attending mainstream school, which would greatly reduce the need for more unit places. Surely, this would whet the appetite of the Government, if it thought it could make a cost saving because, in all honesty, the Government has no compassion for families with children with autism and there is no point in appealing to the Government on emotion as all it cares about, sadly, is money.

Over the past few months, I was involved in a local fundraising, "Lip Sync", in Bandon to raise much needed funds for Jack & Friends Support Centre in Bandon. This wonderful centre is run by local parents, such as Claire and Samantha, and is a wonderful amenity to the people of the town and surrounding area. What many may not realise is that the centre is wholly funded through fundraising and receives no State funding whatsoever. The centre has running costs of up to €22,000 a year and they are relying on the generosity of the people to keep the centre opened. In the past five months, this centre applied twice for a grant to kit out its sensory room for the children and on both occasions it was turned down. The centre applied for other grants for a table and chairs for the children and again they were turned down. It is clear that centres such as this need State funding. The likes of this centre are relieving pressure on the Government as they provide services that it should provide. It is high time that these centres and groups were supported by the Government.

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