Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. Since 2013, the HSE has been developing a progressing disability policy and programme. In latter years, because of increased resources, it has pursued that. They would argue that has led to what is a holistic, family-orientated model, but that it has diluted services in other areas, particularly in special schools. I have intervened and I have convened meetings of officials in the Departments of Education, Health, and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Ministers concerned to try to deal with this issue. Recruitment is one aspect of it, policy is another and there is also the nature of interventions. Certainly, there are many families out there who are not happy, correctly so, with the length of time they have to wait.

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