Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the issues of our children and young people and their education, special education and disability are of the utmost importance to the Taoiseach, as they are to me as a representative of the people of Meath West.

I look forward to that committee making progress. We need to keep moving forward on our policy, our legislation and our funding of these important areas. The situation is acute and urgent for some of our children. Every month that goes by reduces the chances of a positive outcome and can affect their qualify of life.

In Meath West there is a general lack of staff for the CDNTs that we have discussed today. The networks have had to turn away children and their families with challenging problems due to a lack of resources. I know of one child diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age four. Unfortunately, at age 11 he has not even been seen by the network yet. The only alternative is CAMHS, which generally does not see autistic children. As children like this approach puberty, all these challenges are amplified and become more profound and life-altering for them and their stressed-out, frustrated parents. We need to ensure the huge increases in funding allocated to health services are directed towards resourcing of networks like the CDNTs. This is the right thing to do to ensure CDNTs, CAMHS and general psychological services for young people are adequately resourced and equipped to support families in supporting their loved ones with difficulties.

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