Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Throughout his political career, the Taoiseach has taken a special interest in children with special needs. As the previous speaker noted, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to: "reduce the waiting times for assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 through the full year provision of additional therapy posts." It is clear that the commitments under the Disability Act 2005 are not being honoured in the context of children with disabilities. There are severe waiting lists for primary care services and for therapy provided under the assessment of need and early intervention team provisions. This is unacceptable and it poses a great deal of stress for children and their parents. It is also not right that many children with autism or special needs are without appropriate school plans in either special schools or special classes. Can the staffing levels in the appropriate therapy disciplines be increased to tackle these waiting lists? Can a five-year projection of special needs education in each school catchment area be undertaken without delay in order to ensure that the necessary school plans will be provided in a timely manner?

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