Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their wide range of statements on the future of early intervention. There is a widely shared view that a new emphasis on early intervention is needed as a matter of critical importance. Senator Barrett and others reminded us that this discussion is taking place in a difficult economic context. There was a shared focus on the part of a number of speakers on the importance of effective intervention. Money used to be thrown at interventions in a variety of ways without any evaluation of their effectiveness. I think the point is that we need to examine what is the most effective intervention. It is clear from studies that have been done in Dublin that some interventions do not work as well as others.

While I accept that we have to make sure we move towards a more research-based emphasis on intervention, I do not think everything can be measured. Senator Leyden spoke about the value of having a happy childhood and being loved. Clearly, the quality of love and affection given to children - these are basic things every child needs - is not something that can be subjected to a strict measurement. There is overwhelming evidence that if we do not invest more in early intervention, the cost in terms of the poor prognosis for the children who do not benefit from it will be quite high.

A number of Senators spoke about the issue of disability, for which the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is responsible. Of course the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has a role to play in this regard. We are working closely with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council for Special Education to improve the provision of supports throughout the continuum of a child's life. As Senator Moran pointed out, we need to ensure the transitions work better for children with disabilities. It is appalling that when some children move from one service to another, they almost have to start at the end of the queue in order to have direct supports provided to them. We need much more integration than that. It should not be happening. It is disturbing to hear the stories we have heard today about disability services in the early years. It highlights how much we need to do in this area to ensure services are provided as early as they are needed. They should not be always provided on the basis of diagnosis. We want to see services provided throughout the early years.

Senator Reilly mentioned the waiting list in Cavan. Obviously, it is totally damaging for a child who is on the autism spectrum to have to wait 25 months. If the Senator sends me details of the cases in question, I will take them up with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. We will examine precisely what is happening. A number of other Senators, including Senator Moloney, expressed concern about the provision of disability services. There is room for more cross-departmental work in this regard. I assure the House that these matters are being examined. Detailed interdepartmental work is being done to improve the situation. There is no question about the fact that it is very urgent.

Senator van Turnhout asked about the allocation of grants to non-governmental organisations. The reality is that the circumstances of those organisations will not change. There is approximately ¤100 million in the budget for non-governmental organisations. Following the establishment of the new child and family agency, there will be greater co-ordination between the work of the organisations being funded and the priorities of the agency and the Government. I think that is needed.