Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of many parents in County Kerry whose children have been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and other intellectual disabilities. While the numbers continue to increase, the services are not readily available. Waiting times for assessments and diagnoses are taking way too long. There is a huge shortage of speech and language therapists. Many parents have to go down the route of private assessments for their children. This is a huge burden on families and many cannot afford it. Applications for domiciliary care and disability allowances for children are taking way too long. We have no respite places; hardly any at all. The St. Mary of the Angels centre, which was given over voluntarily and put in place by many volunteers, including parents, back over the years is being closed by stealth. I want the Ministers to address this issue. It is not fair that children with disabilities have to go up to County Meath, up against the Border with the Six Counties.

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