Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the kind regards being sent to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on the birth of her son.

This week, we learned from RTÉ that a seven-year-old girl with autism has been informed that she will have to wait until 2026 for an appointment with school-age support services. Such a timeframe is, unfortunately, not unique, although it is atypical for the HSE to be so blunt. I am aware of dozens of families in my constituency whose children are waiting years for assessments of need, autism services, child development supports, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology services.

In most cases, the only information that their families can get is that there are extensive waiting lists. What will the Government do to ensure that, as we emerge from the pandemic, autism services and other services for our children do not just return to where they were, which was clearly not good enough, but become worthy services that can deliver the much-needed supports these children deserve?

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