Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day. It cannot just have been another day of empty promises while families continue to struggle. Last night, families slept out for a second time, pleading for support. We must acknowledge their challenges every day. With this in mind, I acknowledge in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West there are 539 children who have waited for more than 12 months for their first contact with Balbriggan CDNT. This is the highest waiting time in CHO 9. I would imagine it is well up there in the country. We know children with needs benefit significantly from the access and inclusion model in early education up to two years before they enter primary school. Can these figures be used to inform the Department of Education when planning necessary supports, easing the transition and reducing the chaos of school places that we are seeing?

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