Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank Deputy Tully and Sinn Féin for bringing forward this very worthwhile motion. I thank Deputy Tully for all the work she has put into it. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak again on this very important subject. For all those parents who learn that there is something wrong with their child or baby, it can be very challenging, daunting and demanding. Those parents would do anything to help their child and pay any kind of money. However, sadly, whether the therapy is to be had privately or publically, it is always challenging for parents to access the services that are necessary for their children. It is time that we had some assessment or medical report to determine the cause of so many children presenting with the diagnoses of autism, dyslexia or dyspraxia. There seems to be an awful amount of them. In my office on a daily basis, it is one of the problems that parents are raising most consistently in relation to their children. Come August or autumn, when the special needs teachers are being assigned to schools, not enough of them are assigned. Parents learn that their child is not going to get the level of attention that they require. I am sorry to see the Minister of State shaking her head, because it is God's gospel truth. First of all, early diagnosis is most important for these children. They need a lot of personal attention in their formative years. Intervention is vital in ensuring that a child develops to the best that he or she can be. It is vital to bring out the very best in such children. All parents want this for their children. I believe that they are entitled to it. Their children are our future and we need to invest in them. We need to invest more in special needs children.

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who is present, is a woman, as is the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I think they can and should do more for special needs teachers and the sector. They should provide far more such teachers in classrooms because they are vital for so many children.

I am concerned at the level of children who are presenting with autism. We need to do more assessment or find out what is going wrong. There are many scientists, doctors and what have you out there and they should be able to determine that there is something causing this.

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