Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This particular case is just unacceptable, and heads need to be smacked together. We raised the issue in February and I think it was March when we had the meeting. It took a number of months to get them to change an archaic policy which was unique in respect of the fact that this child was being denied services essentially because of a word on a page. In between times, nothing was being done in terms of even preparing for that. Then the policy was changed. The response I read to the Minister of State is from September. We are now at the end of January 2024. I cannot remember the first time I raised this young man's case in parliamentary questions, but it has to be verging on two years ago at this stage. Therefore, it is important we say that it is not a way to treat human beings, and especially children with disabilities and their families who are at their wits' end.

To be quite frank, if the service in Cavan was good enough there probably would not be the strong demand that there rightfully is in terms of looking for the service in Monaghan. The Cavan service is not good enough. The reason we know that is that everybody who is availing of it needs more hours. There are adults and young adults who cannot get respite because they are basically sharing the alternative weeks. It is not good enough and it is not acceptable. I will not be accepting it anymore. We cannot have the situation continue where we are dealing with parents and running round the houses. Officials are saying they will sort it out when the Minister of State is in the room, and then they do not sort it out.

I ask the Minister of State to comment on the demand for a special school in Monaghan, because clearly there is a demand there for that as well. They are the two demands that are raised with me all the time. I want to raise this particular issue and I ask for the Minister of State's assurance that the child in question is going to be sorted out with overnight respite hours quickly.

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