Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

The situation in the Loop Head peninsula in west Clare is particularly difficult. Senator Daly and I have been working to ensure that the kind of services and facilities that are needed for children on the autism spectrum are put in place. Occupational therapists and speech and language therapists are not readily available in this area and parents are expected to travel 50 to 60 miles to locations where these services are available. Some movements have been made on the education front but more needs to be done by the Department of Health and Children to put in place these kinds of facilities and services. We cannot simply accept that personnel are not available because they are available in the private sector. There must be greater movement on this issue and this is why I would welcome a debate on policy in this House.