Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Deputy is aware that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is doing major work in this area and will be bringing forward an autism innovation strategy to respond to the diversity that the Deputy has outlined there, particularly among younger children. The issue the Deputy has raised on waiting lists is the reason the Government has made a significant commitment to try to increase the number of people working within our health services at the moment, especially in the areas of therapy. More than €5 billion in additional funding has been made available to the Department of Health in recent years. I know the Department is working hard to recruit the therapists who, as the Deputy knows, are badly needed and who could make a very big difference to those who access their services and need their care.

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