Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, Deputy Tully, on bringing the motion forward. Unfortunately, people with a disability and their carers have been relegated to second-class citizens in this State. In every sector there are delays, waiting lists and, in many cases, a complete lack of services. It has become acceptable and the norm for people with a disability to have to fight for every service that others take for granted. I refer, in particular, to schools, school places in autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes and transport for both school and adult day services. There is also the issue of the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and the fact that schools have to battle for a handful of appointments every year and must try to pick the children the schools believe need the service most. It is an impossible situation in which to be placed.

I wish to draw attention to an issue in the Carlow and Kilkenny region with the provision of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy, particularly for children. There is an average waiting time of 18 months to two years for an appointment. There are also long delays in assessments and often people are delighted when they finally get an assessment, thinking they will finally get their services. However, in many cases, they must wait 18 months to two years for a follow-up service. Many people tell me they are getting one appointment per year. I stress that it is not due to the existing staff who are working in that sector. I honestly do not know how they keep going and keep their morale up when all they see are growing waiting lists of children. There definitely must be greater investment in this area immediately. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, specifically to examine the situation in Carlow and Kilkenny. I was thinking about this earlier.

There has been a lot of media attention recently on the appointment of special advisers and additional advisers. When a need is perceived for such a role it can be filled immediately. However, we are waiting years for occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists to help children in the Carlow and Kilkenny region.

I refer to the optional protocol of the UNCRPD. We need to ratify this without delay as the only way the State is finally going to sit up and take action is because it will be forced to do so. I appeal to the Minister of State because I feel that she wants to do the right thing here and I have seen some statements she has made since taking over this role. I hope she will follow this up with action and do the right thing by all those with a disability and their carers. They are totally exhausted and they need assistance, funding and investment. The sector has been underfunded and has suffered from under-investment for years. Covid has highlighted that and thrown it into stark contrast. Now we have a situation where people are trying to reopen services. If someone finally gets a place or a couple of hours of assistance, the next thing is a battle for transport. There are major issues to be addressed. I do not think anybody is looking for an overnight solution but people want to see that the issue is being taken seriously and services are going to be delivered.

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