Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The first point I want to raise is the lack of services and the dire situation of services where therapists are concerned. The waiting lists are so long. I have personal experience of this. In my great frustration, I have written to the Offaly school age team in Tullamore about a child. I would say I have written at least five times at this stage but have yet to receive a response. The young child was placed under the school age team and his parents are very anxious that he be prioritised for speech therapy as soon as possible. I have received no communication and, as far as I know, the parents have not either. That was certainly the case a month ago. I would be grateful for any intervention the Minister can make in this regard.

There are dire circumstances at second level. We need more autism units for the kids and need to make sure they are supported at every level because there is a serious gap. Kids need to have an autism unit at second level and should not be travelling 30 or 40 miles to a unit.

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