Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join with others in raising the issue of services for autistic children, children with autism. Yesterday I met with a group of parents in Athy, County Kildare, and heard directly from them about their difficult experiences in seeking to access education and services not only for their children but for those whose children had turned 18. Services for young adults are sorely lacking. I appeal to the Taoiseach to ensure more can be done on that and also of course to flag that tomorrow morning we will again raise this issue with our Labour Party Private Members’ motion on autism services and the need for a national plan on autism.

I also raise the growing crisis in the provision of early years childcare places. In my constituency another crèche has recently closed. I hear regularly, every week, from constituents about the difficulties they have in accessing childcare and early years education places. I know it is not unique to my constituency as I hear it from Labour Party representatives throughout the country. What proposals has the Taoiseach to ensure adequacy of supply of childcare and early years places?

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