Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)

Listen, I did not disturb you when you spoke so please be quiet. I will get a lot more done than any of you will. I want to highlight the unacceptable surge in waiting lists for autism assessments and broader failings in the assessment of need systems. The regional group negotiated pay parity for section 38 and section 39 workers and I am delighted to see it has been done, but let us be honest about what is happening here, namely, that families are exhausted, children are waiting too long and it is not just for assessment but access to real, life-changing supports. The system is letting them down at multiple stages and the consequences are serious. Developmental windows are being missed, family well-being is deteriorating and trust in the system is evaporating.

Two weeks ago I was in the AV room at the invitation of Deputy McDonald. It was to do with my neighbouring constituency in the north inner city and it was great. I heard life experience from mothers and fathers who fought for this and I really was moved by it, and I saw and heard this on the doorsteps during the election campaign. The HSE has reported a 65% increase in completed assessments in the first quarter of this year and that should be acknowledged, but the cold comfort is 15,000 children are still waiting to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy or behavioural supports. Families are being sent from queue to queue and we call it a system. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has committed to reform and that is welcome, but families need not another working group or consultation but immediate action.

Cara, I met you first as a councillor when you invited me to the monster rally outside Leinster House and I thank you for that. I really want to say thanks from the bottom of my heart and from everyone here. You are doing Trojan work. You are doing our job - the job we should be doing. You are asking for the establishment of a task force and I really hope this Government listens to you, because here is the truth. Despite a 65% increase in assessments this year, there were still over 15,000 overdue in March. While the promised reform and the €10 million that, as I have already said, has been allocated is great, it is not solving the core problem. Families do not want paperwork but consistent professional therapy for their children, especially those who have waited years for diagnosis. We need a system that meets children where they are and not one that makes families chase diagnostician after diagnostician just to be seen. We must stop using assessment as a gatekeeper to care and start delivering care based on need.

I believe this Government is serious about its commitments. I am committed to the programme for Government because a government’s role at its core is simply to protect and support those who need it most. I acknowledge the work of my predecessor, Finian McGrath, who did an incredible job as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities. His leadership and passion sparked my interest in politics at a young age. He showed me that politics, especially Independent politics, is about putting people first and standing up for those who need it most. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht éisteacht liom.

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