Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a serious knock-on effect for children because of the failures to provide therapies. Behavioural issues are getting worse, children are falling behind and through the gaps, and staff are under constant pressure and stress, all of which could be resolved. We will not be able to fix everything but if the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, were to provide €150,000, the therapies that are needed could be provided.

It is shocking that more than 750 children in Cork are waiting on assessments of needs. The waiting time for an assessment of needs 12 weeks before the process starts and 26 weeks before it finishes. A total of 750 children have been waiting on average 21.5 months, not the three months it should be. This is what the Government is doing. I am dealing with a child in Cork who is tube-fed but cannot get a space in a special ASD class because there is a shortage. Children with disabilities are not being supported.

We have had a lot of talk and the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, is now going to list out all the money the Government is spending, but the parents of these children do not want to hear that. They want their children to see therapists and get support because they are falling behind, and the Government is failing them.

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