David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response and acknowledge the work the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is carrying out in this area. A number of issues arise. The externally provided private services, as far as I am aware, in this and other cases were not made known to the parents. If the Minister of State could organise a pathway to be made available and known to parents in such cases, it might resolve issues pretty quickly. If these two boys are not seen for two years, they will be five. Now is the time. Early intervention is vital in these cases.

The Minister of State referred to retention and it may be time to consider a retention bonus for critical staff to hold them in position in the HSE and other services. I know of a number of people leaving these services for all kinds of reasons. It is not always pay; sometimes it is morale, burnout, overwork and so forth. The Minister of State and Department should consider carrying out an assessment, consisting of an interview, questionnaire or whatever, with some of these critical staff to see why they are leaving and what is going on. Pay is a factor, but not always; sometimes it is the way they are being treated and the culture in that organisation.

What can I say to the parents of these two boys, who need assistance and support now? Maybe the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, or one of her team can contact me next week to let me know how we can assist them. There are many others. If it is not a matter of resources, let us divert resources to an area through which services such as assessment, supports and therapies can be provided. That is the way to go. I acknowledge the Minister of State said that but it does not seem to be something the parents are being made aware of, and they probably should be.

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