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

I am glad to get the opportunity to speak to this matter again because it is so important. The Government, the Department of Health and the HSE are really letting down children with disabilities. It is a tough cross to bear for these parents and the children when they do not come into this world 100% and are lacking what they need. An assessment of needs takes forever and they do not get the speech and language therapy they need so much. There is also occupational therapy, physiotherapy and all the other therapies.

I know parents of children who are going mad because they cannot get orthodontic treatment. The children's little gums go too strong and their teeth go wrong so they need treatment. They must wait four years. Please, Minister. There are also cases of scoliosis and spina bifida, and we see little children crying on television telling their stories about their spines going crooked. Please, Minister. The Taoiseach has said the Government was allocating €5.2 million to this but then the Government statement indicates the sum as €4 million per year. Who is right or wrong? Who is the Government trying to kid? Children with Down's syndrome dearly need the July provision but there is a lack of such services every year when it comes to July. Those children need routine and continuity in schooling. If they miss July, they can lose an entire year.

There is no accountability in the Government, the Department of Health, the HSE and the services that are supposed to be provided. The entire process is going wrong.

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