Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On Saturday, 600 people marched in Clonmel begging for improved services for people with disabilities. We heard testimonies of patients whose children have no school places for September and almost have to travel to Mayo from Tipperary to get a psychological appointment. We heard stories of efforts to recruit staff to the children's disability network teams, CDNTs, which have been unsuccessful. Accommodation in Clonmel is a problem for that as well. I raised this with the Tánaiste last week and he acknowledged there was a problem. The organising committee, Action for Autism, thanks him for that and now wants him to come to see them. I handed the Tánaiste a number of letters they sent to me that detail very personal accounts of their trauma and journeys with their children. I want the Tánaiste to visit Scoil Aonghusa and Scoil Chormaic in Cashel, two wonderful schools that are bursting at the seams. They have invited the Tánaiste to come and see that for himself. Services are just not there. The Tánaiste acknowledged last week that it was not working. We need to come together to do something for these people.

I met another young mother who has a five-year old child who is non-verbal and has not met or been assessed by anyone. It is very frustrating. I ask the Tánaiste to please do something if he can.

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