Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, Deputy Tully, on tabling the motion and I welcome the opportunity to speak to it. Similar to all Deputies, my office has received countless contacts from parents of children with disabilities who have experienced serious issues in accessing the services they deserve. The lack of resources for services for these children amounts to neglect. The State has an obligation to these children. They are entitled to care under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and domestic law. Children who need these services but cannot access them are being left behind. As do all parents, parents of children with disabilities want the best for their children.

They want to give them the best opportunity in life but parents are having to fight tooth and nail to get the access to services their children need. Parents have gone through the courts to get such access, as seen in the recent High Court ruling that found that the Government was in breach of the Disability Act. It is appalling that these children are left to wait so long for intervention. It is completely unfair and it is an injustice.

Early intervention is key. These kids cannot wait any longer for access to services and they should not have to. We need targeted investment in this area and we need to work to retain the staff who work in it. It is on the Minister of State to act in the interests of these children and their families. That is Deputy Rabbitte's job and it is time she got on with it.

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