Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I realise I have only a short time but I cannot let the opportunity go without placing on record the appreciation of the people of Ballinasloe for the successful visit the Minister made on Monday during which she opened a new €1 million 50 place community child care facility and then visited an innovative preschool facility run by Ballinasloe social services for children with special needs. Later, she met youth leaders in the area which went down well.

My question relates to something the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, stated this morning at an Oireachtas committee meeting which I attended. She referred to parents highlighting the difficulties they face in engaging with multiple agencies, often under the aegis of the same Department, when trying to secure adequate supports and services for their children. In one case, a mother told how she had to interact with 21 individuals in various agencies to address the needs of a child with special needs. How can we do better and make it easier to do business with Government agencies? Such agencies should respond in a timely manner to parents of children with special needs, who are struggling from day to day.