Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support those protesting for better services for children with disabilities. On 2 April, we had World Autism Day. I join in the support for those involved in the Enough is Enough campaign who have been protesting in recent days. The HSE responded to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy James Browne, and confirmed that in Dublin South-Central and Dublin South-West alone the total number of people on waiting lists to receive speech therapy services is 2,883. That figure is absolutely scandalous and unacceptable. This is only one area of services needed by children with disabilities. Others include occupational therapy, physiotherapy and respite services. These figures alone are an indictment, while the anecdotal evidence from parents on the street suggests that figures for other services are as bad if not worse. I am calling on the Leader to call on the Minister for Health to address this inequality, to ensure that we look after children and adults with disabilities. Dublin South-Central alone has one of the highest proportions of people with disabilities in the country. It is unfair not give services to people who need them to live some level of a decent life and take part in society.

I would also like to emphasise the lack of funding for respite services, not only for children but for parents. For some reason in the last few years, the funding available has decreased. I would like the Leader to ask the Minister for Health if anything can be done to increase the funding for respite services.