Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This week is Carers Week. This morning, I attended a coffee morning in Clondalkin hosted by Family Carers Ireland in conjunction with Clondalkin Autism Parent Support Network. Of course, we had the launch of the Joint Committee on Autism report, which, under the leadership of Senator Carrigy, made more than 100 recommendations.

Both of these are reminders and insights into the everyday struggles of families and the incredible work carers do. However, it is also a reminder of how let down people feel, particularly when it comes to diagnosis and access to therapies and support like the carer's allowance, which is means tested. In my own area, community healthcare organisation, CHO, 7, disability waiting lists really are heartbreaking and parents, unfortunately, are broken by the system that should support them.

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