Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have spoken before about autism and the lack of services we have concerning speech and language therapists, SLTs, occupational therapists, OTs, psychologists, physiotherapists and all that is required in this regard. Could I get an update concerning the school inclusion model pilot that was being operated? The idea of this is to put the service where the need is. Could we see about having a review and then an expansion beyond the pilot? Could we also look, from a parent's perspective, at the admissions process? Would it be possible to have an allowance for parents to be able to apply two years beforehand if they have disabled children from the point of view of ensuring the schools concerned would have their ducks in a row regarding all the resources required?

I also wish to raise the issue of The Changing Lives Initiative, which deals with strategies for parents of children who present with ADHD. It is being operated in counties Louth and Meath and slightly beyond. Additionally, an expansion beyond this pilot is being sought. Deputy Mark Ward is sponsoring a briefing in this regard in the audiovisual room tomorrow and my wife will be very glad I raised this issue because she may be attending.

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