Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a remarkably decent and generous thing that Cara Darmody has done for this island in terms of bringing this to a level where nothing else has been discussed today, and rightly so. When I was campaigning in my municipal authority of Tuam in the run-up to the local elections last year there were lots of issues discussed, such as housing, homelessness, migration and childcare, and, of course, early years intervention was one of the priorities. Then at the back end of last year when we had the general election campaign the same issues were raised, only this time it was within the constituency of Galway East. I found it staggering when I spoke to the many parents who were desperate to get answers and find a pathway for their child who badly needed that intervention. To be brutally honest, I found it very distressing. Obviously, every parent wants the best for their child.

In turn, I wanted to bring what I believed to be the priorities of the people of east Galway to my own parliamentary party. Hand on heart and to be fair about it, it certainly has been and continues to be one of our priorities. I am heartened by our leader and the emphasis he has put on that sector, notwithstanding some of the commentary I have heard about how there would be very little talk about this if not for the events of today.

That is not to say the issues out there are not chronic. In my own constituency of Galway East I encountered a young chap in sixth class who was granted assistive technology to support him with speech and language. Of course, that fell into the special education section within the Department of education. That happened a year ago. You can imagine the frustration and the deep desperation felt by that family because all of a sudden, he will be out of national school and that is a deficit that is not right for him.

Any delay to a child getting an assessment is a real disadvantage. Families are then forced to take the private route but that sector, too, is exhausted. The importance of early years intervention is always outlined to parents and the parents want the best but they suddenly find that the support and intervention services to match that are not really there. The assessment of need process will only function as intended when the people delivering that service are supported, trained and, of course, valued.

There is huge focus on children with autism regarding supports for schools and services but we must not forget for one second those children with Down's syndrome. That community also requires the same level of supports. Of course, it is only right and fair to think that anyone who falls into any of the categories deserves the best there is in society. The urgency for both should be the exact same. We owe it to the families and we owe it to the professionals who serve them. We need to act in a sustainable and ethical way to bring about the necessary change.

Of course, all of the commentary that has been uttered here today is absolutely right. I would not like anyone on the Opposition benches to think for one second that we are not on the same page as them. We are all in this together. There was an acknowledgement today by the Taoiseach and there is always an acknowledgement from the Tánaiste that this is an area where greater investment and greater focus are needed. The relevant Ministers are dealing with it and I have no doubt that their empathy, compassion and support will improve things going forward. That is what I wish for and, of course, if that is not the case I, like others, will continue to be a champion for a better service and for better supports.

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